Steve Davis provided his ideas on his fellow BBC pundits on the World Snooker Championship
Steve Davis [middle] has given his verdict on the BBC’s snooker pundits(Image: Sam Bloxham, Getty Images)
Zhao Xintong returned to the Crucible as defending champion when the World Snooker Championship fundamental draw acquired underway in Sheffield final Saturday.
The Chinese star is effectively conscious he faces a stern check as a bunch of former champions search to dethrone him, although all of them arrive carrying their very own uncertainties in what guarantees to be a very wide-open area this 12 months. Reigning champion Zhao got here by way of a gap spherical check towards qualifier Liam Highfield as 15 of the 16 seeds progressed.
There have already been some unforgettable moments within the early phases of the draw, with Kyren Wilson mounting a outstanding comeback from 6-3 right down to defeat Stan Moody and former champion Mark Williams defeating Polish debutant Antoni Kowalski. Shaun Murphy has already booked his place in spherical three in fashion, profitable 13-3 towards Xiao Guodong after squeaking previous Fan Zhengyi in spherical one.
John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan additionally got here by way of their first matches to arrange a second-round assembly, with Higgins beating Ali Carter and O’Sullivan overcoming He Guoqiang. The total match is being broadcast on the BBC and six-time world champion Steve Davis has shared his opinion on his fellow pundits.
John Parrott
“John and I started together as part of the presentation team with Hazel Irvine. He’s an absolute force of nature in his knowledge. When we sit in the studio, he can remember so much. It’s not an accident he was on A Question of Sport. He’s got a photographic memory for remembering results and stats. When I’m with him, I know we’re on safe ground because I can’t remember the tournament previously!”
Stephen Hendry
“He’s turned into this wonderful YouTube sensation. I like commentating with Stephen because he doesn’t sit on the fence. He tells it like it is. He’s a bit like the Andy Gray of snooker. Anybody that misses any ball – he could have done better. But he absolutely praises great attacking play, too. He doesn’t like the players who play too safe – he’d give me a pass on that..!”
Dennis Taylor
“One of the legends of the commentary box. The best line drawer on the telestrator on the planet. Whenever Dennis draws a line, you know the ball’s going to go right along it. A totally experienced campaigner in the commentary box and obviously knows the game inside out. Even though me and Dennis are a little bit older now, we still enjoy watching the game and Dennis really does enjoy it. You never get a dull moment with him.”
Ken Doherty
“One of the great things about Ken is he’s always a positive thinker, he’s never had a bad day. He still plays the game at a high level. So his knowledge of the game is really high. And if you can’t enjoy being in the commentary box with Ken, then it’s your problem not his.”
Hazel Irvine
“Hazel is a legend and we are all in her wake, really. I think she’s the best presenter I’ve ever been involved with and seen. She’s the best. She’s an absolute demigod as far as I’m concerned. Me and John Parrott, we just watch her perform. It’s all from memory, no teleprompt, no autocue. It’s all out of her brain. It is incredible. She’s magnificent.”
John Virgo
“We’re all very upset. It’s not going to be the identical with out him. It (Virgo’s death) occurred not that long ago and it was a shock. We have been all with him the week earlier than and the very fact we’re by no means going to listen to, ‘Where’s the cue ball going’ once more is really, really unhappy. There’s an enormous hole within the commentary field.”
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