Shaun Murphy roared back to level against Kyren Wilson (Zac Goodwin/PA)
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Shaun Murphy won the final three frames of the morning session to set up a grandstand finish to his World Snooker Championship semi-final against Kyren Wilson.
The fired-up former champion, who trailed 10-4 at one stage in the match, clawed his way back to 12-12 ahead of Saturday evening’s conclusion.
Murphy had punched the air in delight after winning the final two frames of Friday afternoon’s session to haul his deficit back to four frames and give himself hope of a recovery.
Selby will be kicking himself for causing the delay after compiling what looked set to be a match-winning break of 44 in the 31st frame, only to run out of position and let in Bingham for a nerveless 85 clearance which forced overtime.
Selby had resumed trailing 13-11 but dominated the session, a break of 125 hauling him level at 13-13 then, after Bingham responded with a century of his own, three frames in a row put the Leicester man firmly in control.
But although there was no repeat of the warning Selby received from referee Ben Williams on Friday for slow play, the gruelling nature of many of the frames ensured extra time would be required to determine a winner.
“We are in the entertainment business. Everybody’s been locked up and isolated for the past year and they want to see a show, and it’s our job to put on a show and entertain them.
“There is more to winning major snooker events in front of live audiences than just hitting the cue ball in a straight line. There’s a lot more that goes into it than on-the-table theatrics, and maybe that’s a stone Kyren hasn’t looked under yet.”
Murphy, playing some of his best snooker at the venue since he sailed to the title as an unfancied qualifier in 2005, had staged a series of mini-comebacks, including winning the final two frames on Friday to finish 10-6 behind overnight, then potting a brilliant long-black to close the gap to 11-9.
Social distancing can be axed and big crowds can return from June as crowds are safe
The report, by the Events Research Programme, reportedly names measures including better ventilation, staggered entry and clear communication as ways to help crowds return
There was no spike in Covid cases, it is claimed (Image: PA)
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THE 2021 World Snooker Championship final will begin this weekend capping what has been a strangely successful season for the sport.
The isolated nature of snooker as an individual rather than team game has seen it generally cope well through a difficult period, and it is now playing a key role in exploring ways to get fans and spectators back to events safely.
The continuation of professional snooker tournaments during the past year has often given them pride of place on TV, and the sport could emerge from this period stronger than it has been for some time.
The final session of the World Championship final on Monday will be played in front of a full house at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with earlier sessions also close to selling out.