ROBERTSON: I’LL SALVAGE AUSTRALIA’S SPORTING REPUTATION

NEIL ROBERTSON is desperate to help restore Australia’s battered sporting image by winning a second world title fair and square.

And with the Betfred World Championship looming, the former world champion has also called for all forms of cheating to be stamped out in snooker.

Melbourne-born Robertson, 36, a cricket and Aussie rules football fanatic, was left devastated by the recent cricket ball-tampering scandal.

But the Crucible contender sees two positive things he can do in his own sport.

The first would be to add in exemplary fashion to the world title he won in 2010 this year in Sheffield.

And the second is to play a lead role in combating the “cheating” creeping in well away from the top-16 elite but among rookie players at a lower level.

Robertson revealed: “There is an etiquette issue with some of the younger players down the rankings, especially off TV on the outside tables.

“You see stuff that is cheating and it needs to be sorted out. The biggest thing is moving on the shot by an opponent.

“The balltampering scandal in cricket was a moment that made your heart sink as a proud, sport-loving Aussie.

“For all of us who play sport it poses the question – how much is your reputation worth?

“If I could win a second world title for myself and Australia, and do it clean and fair, and be a good ambassador, then that is all I can do.”