Williams sticks by breakoff technique
SHEFFIELD: Former world No 1 Mark Williams has blasted a bid to ban the controversial breakoff technique he has employed at the world championship.
The threetime world champion used the shot, in which he nudges the cueball into the back of the reds off the bottom cushion, proficiently in his 104 victory over qualifier Sam Craigie at The Crucible yesterday.
Topranked Judd Trump, keen to make the game more entertaining, was critical of the tactic labelling it
‘‘negative’’ and saying he would never do it as it slows down the game.
Williams revealed an email had been sent to some of snooker’s leading names by the players’ association canvassing opinion on whether the controversial tactic should be prohibited.
‘‘There’s a lot more going on in the world to worry about my poxy breakoff,’’ he said.
‘‘Haven’t they got anything better to do than send emails out asking players if they like it and should it get banned?
‘‘It’s not an illegal shot and I don’t see the problem with it. It’s farcical.’’
Snooker’s world governing body confirmed the existence of the email but indicated it was yet to reach the stage of being considered by their rules committee.
On the felt, Williams reeled off five consecutive frames in yesterday’s session to cruise past Craigie and book a secondround meeting with old rival John Higgins.
Trump boosted his status as one of the favourites with a 104 triumph over Liam Highfield.
‘‘There is absolutely no pressure this year. I am just going to have a good practice and if I win I win, if I don’t I don’t,’’ the 2019 world champion said. — BPA