Time ticks for Higgins

Sharks boss cool on Curry at No.8

TOP SCOT John Higgins admits time is running out for him to land a memorable FIFTH World Championship crown.

The Wishaw Wizard (above) last won a world title in 2011, but has been a losing finalist the past three years in Sheffield.

This season’s 17-day tournament at the Crucible should be being played now but has been provisionally postponed until the end of July.

And when snooker does finally return, four-time world champion Higgins hopes to finish his career with a bang. “Time is obviously running out for me to try and do it again,” admitted Higgins.

“But I’m tough to beat at the Crucible, I put my heart and soul into it.

“I’ll be trying my hardest, I’d dearly love to win another one. It would be really special.

“It would have to be in the next couple of years, but who knows?”

World No.4 Higgins has spent lockdown with wife Denise and their three children at home in Scotland.

The 44-year-old added: “My daughter is trying to show me how to use the trampoline and I’ve pulled a couple of muscles already!”

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Curry into a No.8 in the Six Nations has failed to win over his club.

Curry, shortlisted for World Player of the Year in 2019 at the age of 21, was hailed as a major success in the role by head coach Eddie Jones.

But Sharks boss Steve Diamond has revealed that nothing he saw in the championship has changed his mind that Curry (below) is a specialist No.7 – and will be playing there in the Premiership when it resumes.

“He’s very good, he can play anywhere but our main position for him for the next five years will be open side,” said Diamond.

Jones’ view is that Curry’s versatility will represent the way ahead after the financiallyruinous shutdown.

He said: “I think what will happen is that there will be smaller squads and you’ll need more multi-skilled players.”