'You don't do that in snooker' - Jimmy White not impressed after Yan Bingtao asks for white to be cleaned on tough shot

Yan Bingtao versus Mark Selby always had the feel of a match that could burn the midnight oil, as neither is famed for swashbuckling snooker, with caution often the watchword. Matches often tend to last a long time when three minutes are taken over a shot. But that was what Yan did in the 18th frame of their second-round encounter at the World Championship on Saturday.

Ad/> On this occasion, it’s fair to say he was entitled to take his time after Selby had set a fiendish puzzle. World ChampionshipYan at his best to lead reigning champion Selby ahead of final session9 HOURS AGO The defending champion’s shot went completely awry and he went back to his seat with a worried look on his face as it appeared he had left Yan a shot at the brown. Or had he? With the camera right behind the pocket, it was not clear whether there was a path past the blue to pot the brown.

Yan had a look. Had another look. And a few more looks for good measure, and even contemplated playing it left handed.

He got up and down at least three times, much to the amusement of the crowd. “This is one of those where you don’t know how it goes until you play it, by which time it’s too late,” said Neal Foulds on Eurosport commentary. O'Sullivan determined to keep fighting on biggest stage Trump overcomes shaky start to share session with McGill He also tried a bit of gamesmanship by asking to have the cue ball cleaned.

Referee Rob Spencer gave that request short shrift. “That’s out of order, really,” David Hendon said. “There’s no chance of Rob Spencer succumbing to that request.” Mark Selby did not look impressed with the request, which was a viewpoint adopted by Jimmy White and Alan McManus in the Eurosport studio.