John Virgo voiced his concerns at a change in the set for the World Snooker Championship which has already disturbed some players.
The World Championship is in Sheffield once again as the Crucible Theatre plays host to the finest talent that snooker has to offer with the best in the world battling it out for the title.
Starting at the weekend, the rest of the Round of 32 games are still to be played, with Ronnie O’Sullivan’s clash with Ali Carter among the most highly-anticipated match-ups to come.
However, despite only being a few days old there have already been some complaints, and not with the baize or the table this time.
Admittedly, the complaints have come from commentators thus far, but there have been visible issues with new set design impeding Chris Wakelin in his clash with Neil Robertson.
The English player was trying to access a red adeptly placed behind the brown after a decent snooker from his Australian opponent, when he found his access hindered by a board protruding at the edge of the table.
Chris Wakelin took on Neil Robertson in his opening match of the World Snooker Championship
Wakelin appeared to be hampered when taking on a red hidden behind the brown in the 16th frame
John Virgo claimed he had seen Kyren Wilson struggle with a similar issue earlier in the competition
And, according to legendary commentator and former semi-finalist Virgo, it wasn’t the first time he has seen it happen.
‘Yeah, I saw this happen the other night – I don’t ever remember people having a problem with this,’ he said on commentary duty.
His co-commentator on the mic Ken Doherty added: ‘I know it’s a new set, a new perimeter but…’
Virgo continued: ‘Kyren Wilson did it the other night, it’s maybe just that ledge that’s sticking out. If it is interfering with his cueing, that’s wrong!’
Impressively, though, Wakelin managed to escape, and pull off a snooker of his own in the process, hiding the cue ball behind the pink.
As such, Virgo was unable to hide his admiration for the shot, exclaiming, ‘It’s unbelievable.’
‘He looked to be in all kinds of trouble, and that little flick on the pink… it wouldn’t have gone in off?
‘Well, it could have gone in off the pink, but he’s got a snooker from nowhere.’
