2018 World Championship

[paddiboro]

I was well impressed by Kyren Wilson, it's only a matter of time for that young un to win the big one.

[The Rook]

I think that depends on your definition of dominating. If you mean just world championships, then I might agree, but against ROS, Higgins, and Williams with a total of 12 titles out of 16 world final appearances, there are Hendry-Doherty-Ebdon (all born 1969 or 1970) who have 9 world titles out of 15 final appearances, and the newer Murphy-Selby-Robertson (all born 1982-1983) with 5 titles out of 8 final appearances so far. Even Alex Higgins-Terry Griffiths-Cliff Thorburn, with 4 titles between them out of 9 final appearances were a triumvirate of sorts that just couldn't overcome Reardon and Spencer in the early years, or Steve Davis in their later years.

Expanding that out to all ranking or major titles will obviously lean heavily towards ROS-Higgins-Williams, given that they have kept up their form for longer and with more events to win. However, this doesn't discount the other sets of 3 players, and also doesn't take into account the now far larger number of players and events, travel etc.

I guess what I'm saying is that dominant trebles of players are not unprecedented in snooker, especially players of around the same age/year of birth. The main question is whether there will be another player around that will overshadow the others. For Selby, Murphy, and Robertson, the class of 92 (and particularly Higgins) have overshadowed them up to this point, just as the class of 92 overshadowed the later years of Hendry, Doherty, and Ebdon.

Personally, I expect another "dominant" treble to happen soon. It might depend on years of birth though; the typical pattern seems to suggest every 6-8 years between generations, and it's safe to say that many snooker players themselves seem to have peak periods of about that long. However, that discounts 1986, which has both Ding and Mark Allen, from forming a set of 3. Taking it too strictly brings us up to about 1990, which would leave us with many options, notably Judd Trump (1989), Kyren Wilson (1991), Lisowski (1991), and Michael White (1991). Again, this is no guarantee; Wilson, Lisowski, and White might all win numerous ranking events and worlds between them, yet still be overshadowed in their accomplishments by, say, Judd Trump or Ding or Allen, all of whom are slightly older and more than capable.

I'm sorry, but I think your post only emphasises Rane's point that there is no comparison to the class of 92's dominance.

Hendry-Doherty-Ebdon: Hendry's achievements alone would make this group look respectable. You could add Doherty's and Ebdon's achievements together and they don't even come close to matching Williams's (the least decorated member of the 92 trio).

Higgins-Griffith-Thorburn: You even felt the need to explain that they'd have been more successful if there weren't better players around to limit there successes . Contrast this with the 92 trio who have undoubtedly been the best 3 (or 4) players over the last 20 years. The class of 92 are at least 3 times as successful by most measures.

Selby-Robertson-Murphy: To be fair this story is on-going, so the script may change, but right now Selby is a long way ahead of his peers in the group and the only one who comes close to 92 calibre (with 3 Worlds, 8 Triple Crown wins, and 7 consecutive seasons ending #1). Selby is the only post 75 player who has managed to consistently challenge the dominance of the 92 class.

You reasonably mention the increase in ranking tournaments in recent seasons, but really this has little affect on the standing of O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams. Even if we go back to the end of the pre-Hearn era, all of the 92 class had massively superior achievements to Doherty, Ebdon, A Higgins, Griffith, Thorburn, Robertson and Murphy. I've left out Hendry and Selby, but these are exceptional individuals, not groups.

[bagpiper13579]

I think someone will come by. But three players from the same year dominating for so long is probably very unlikely to happen again.

I think that depends on your definition of dominating. If you mean just world championships, then I might agree, but against ROS, Higgins, and Williams with a total of 12 titles out of 16 world final appearances, there are Hendry-Doherty-Ebdon (all born 1969 or 1970) who have 9 world titles out of 15 final appearances, and the newer Murphy-Selby-Robertson (all born 1982-1983) with 5 titles out of 8 final appearances so far. Even Alex Higgins-Terry Griffiths-Cliff Thorburn, with 4 titles between them out of 9 final appearances were a triumvirate of sorts that just couldn't overcome Reardon and Spencer in the early years, or Steve Davis in their later years.

Expanding that out to all ranking or major titles will obviously lean heavily towards ROS-Higgins-Williams, given that they have kept up their form for longer and with more events to win. However, this doesn't discount the other sets of 3 players, and also doesn't take into account the now far larger number of players and events, travel etc.

I guess what I'm saying is that dominant trebles of players are not unprecedented in snooker, especially players of around the same age/year of birth. The main question is whether there will be another player around that will overshadow the others. For Selby, Murphy, and Robertson, the class of 92 (and particularly Higgins) have overshadowed them up to this point, just as the class of 92 overshadowed the later years of Hendry, Doherty, and Ebdon.

Personally, I expect another "dominant" treble to happen soon. It might depend on years of birth though; the typical pattern seems to suggest every 6-8 years between generations, and it's safe to say that many snooker players themselves seem to have peak periods of about that long. However, that discounts 1986, which has both Ding and Mark Allen, from forming a set of 3. Taking it too strictly brings us up to about 1990, which would leave us with many options, notably Judd Trump (1989), Kyren Wilson (1991), Lisowski (1991), and Michael White (1991). Again, this is no guarantee; Wilson, Lisowski, and White might all win numerous ranking events and worlds between them, yet still be overshadowed in their accomplishments by, say, Judd Trump or Ding or Allen, all of whom are slightly older and more than capable.

[Rane]

Well done to Mark Williams its incredible that he is World Champion at 43. The class of 92 are still going strong but I don't agree with John Parrott that we won't see the like of these players again. I expect Bingtao to improve massively in the next few years and there are alot more Chinese players coming down the line.

I think someone will come by. But three players from the same year dominating for so long is probably very unlikely to happen again.

[Rane]

Well done to Mark Williams its incredible that he is World Champion at 43. The class of 92 are still going strong but I don't agree with John Parrott that we won't see the like of these players again. I expect Bingtao to improve massively in the next few years and there are alot more Chinese players coming down the line.

I think someone will come by. But three players from the same year dominating for so long is probably very unlikely to happen again.

[mikeyd100]

Well done to Mark Williams its incredible that he is World Champion at 43. The class of 92 are still going strong but I don't agree with John Parrott that we won't see the like of these players again. I expect Bingtao to improve massively in the next few years and there are alot more Chinese players coming down the line.

I predict many future battles between Bingtao and Kyren Wilson.

[s.h442]

Well done to Mark Williams its incredible that he is World Champion at 43. The class of 92 are still going strong but I don't agree with John Parrott that we won't see the like of these players again. I expect Bingtao to improve massively in the next few years and there are alot more Chinese players coming down the line.

[paddiboro]

I met Dennis Taylor in 1985 after his win over Steve Davis at the Chorlton Police club in Manchester .where he played all these coppers and told jokes at the same time and was very funny .

[ace man]

What a final. The best I have ever seen. How Williams responded to those Higgins comebacks I'll never know. Just about anyone else surely would have cracked.
Truly a privilege to watch. A final like that will be very hard to match.
Class of 1992. will continue to be a factor in years to come.

[throtts]

Hi Guys,

Haven't been on here for a bit.

Yep,, I think it was a bit of gamesmanship from Williams, tbh. What a final though,, awesome.

Congrats to Williams. Just edged it imo on play..

[Mark187187]

John Virgo is by far the best commentator that I have enjoyed listening to over the years as he's not only totally knowledgeable of the game but is also funny with his quips.

I like JV, but I think he has slightly lost the balance between adding to and intruding on the game. Just starting to say some unnecessary stuff. I always liked Clive Everton and Terry Griffiths, but you don't hear either anymore. I do like Alan and Dennis though.

[paddiboro]

John Virgo is by far the best commentator that I have enjoyed listening to over the years as he's not only totally knowledgeable of the game but is also funny with his quips.

[Odrl]

Thank you for your heroic efforts over the years - your summaries have become a hallmark of major tournaments and I have no idea how you even remember it all!

Thanks for the compliment, it's been fun for me as well. :smile:

[vmax]

Hendry was nowhere near the same player by time he retired - he was still a threat and could raise his game against O'Sullivan in particular, but he wasn't winning tournaments, wasn't even getting past the early rounds. You could argue the same of Williams, but Hendry lacked the tools for the modern game.

Thankfully, his much-vaunted comeback was smashed to bits when he was soundly beaten at the world seniors last season.

Murphy's coach Chris Henry says that no ones cue action is totally dead straight and can only be straight at the moment of contact, so if you play with a bent cue that's somehow straight at the moment of contact it's crucial to always play with a bent cue, and crucial that the bend is the same.
Hendry's cue action was forged around a bent cue and when it broke he went through several brand new straight ones, couldn't play to the same level and needed coaching, and that filled his head with thoughts other than 'pot the ball and get the white over there'.

Just a thought, but IMO Steve Davis in his prime, Ding and Wilson had/have totally straight actions so Chris Henry is only half right.

A good tournament, and my prediction won it and Alan McManus is surely the very best commentator there is right now; insightful into both break building and tactics and some nice little superlatives mixed with some pretty scottish snooker slang terms, great stuff Alan.

[vilkrang]

I'd really like a younger player to actually get close to the top players next season. Lisowski winning one of the majors would be good to see, I like the way he plays.

It's pretty much been the same players winning triple crown events for over a decade now and the few surprises there have been has been older players who have been on the tour a long time.

I don't imagine we will ever have three players like Higgins, Williams and O'Sullivan turning professional at the same time again but having just one who is at least close to any of them would be good (although obviously it's unlikely to ever get another ROS as he is a once in a lifetime player).