John Higgins backs calls to enforce ban on Ronnie O’Sullivan chalk

John Higgins has called it a ‘good shout’ to ban Ronnie O’Sullivan’s controversial choice of chalk.

The ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ pulled off an incredible comeback to beat O’Sullivan 13-12 in a thriller at the World Snooker Championship on Monday.

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After trailing 6-2 and 9-4 in the round of 16 clash, Higgins responded by reeling off six frames in succession to surge into a 10-9 lead.

But ‘The Rocket’ hit back, winning the next two frames to regain the lead at 11-10, before Higgins did the same to go 12-11 up.

A match for the ages was ultimately settled with a deciding frame, which Higgins clinched after a break of 49 set him on his way to sealing the all-important frame.

Chalk and cheese

Following Higgins’ stunning last 16 victory, a discussion began over O’Sullivan’s use of chalk at the World Snooker Championship.

The snooker great still uses Triangle chalk, while nearly every other player on the Tour opts for chalk manufactured by a brand called Taom.

O’Sullivan’s preferred choice is known for leaving visible streaky marks on the table, which commentators claimed was affecting Higgins during the early stages of their match.

In the deciding frame, the Scottish star suffered a notable kick while potting a red, and chalk marks were evident on the table.

The row was then further ignited after Higgins’ quarter-final opponent, Neil Robertson, then called for a ban on O’Sullivan’s choice of chalk.

Joining Tuesday’s talkSPORT Breakfast, Higgins weighed in on Robertson’s suggestion, saying: “It’s a good shout.

“That is a good shout because it just messes the table up. It’s like going back in time playing. 

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“We’ve got a new brand of chalk called Taom and it’s just like a game changer in the last four or five years. But I don’t think Ronnie enjoys using it.”

Higgins explained that O’Sullivan is far more comfortable playing with the old-school chalk than other players on the Tour.

He continued: “I personally think Ronnie uses it because he’s got a better cue ball control than any other player in the game. 

“So he feels as if he can still control the white better when we’re getting bad kicks and bad bounces.

“But no, 99 per cent of the players on tour now, they hate it. They really do.”

What did Neil Robertson say?

Higgins’ victory over O’Sullivan set up a quarter-final meeting with world No.3 Robertson, who beat Chris Wakelin to progress.

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Robertson eased past Wakelin with a 13-7 victory, before awaiting the result of Higgins’ marathon match with O’Sullivan.

Speaking after his last 16 victory, the Australian was asked which of the two he would rather face next, and took the opportunity to voice his thoughts on the Rocket’s choice of chalk.

Robertson told the BBC: “I would prefer to play John so I don’t have to contend with the chalk that Ronnie uses, which should be banned from the game.

“I don’t know how you are allowed to even use it.

“All the players hate it, it just destroys it. You get kicks, bounces and it makes an absolute mess of the table.

“I know he [O’Sullivan] is friends with [artist] Damien Hirst, but it’s like he is making artwork with the chalk all over the cloth.

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“I don’t think he does it to put off anyone, he is not that way inclined at all. He is about the only player left on tour that uses that chalk – hopefully they bring in a ban.”