Shaun Murphy slams slow play in World Snooker Championship

Shaun Murphy insists that the climax to the Betfred World Championship needs to be about a lot more than just winning.

Murphy, 38, is chasing a second world title 16 years after his first at the Crucible Theatre and is up against three-time champion Mark Selby.

Selby was warned for slow play in his semi-final win over Stuart Bingham, another former winner, who levelled accusations of gamesmanship at Selby — refuted by the world No 4.

Shaun Murphy has criticised players for slow play at this year’s World Snooker Championship

But Murphy, 5-3 up on Selby after the first session, said: ‘We are in a theatre, we are an entertainment industry. ‘There is a responsibility on the players in the World Championship final to make it a real show.

‘Specifically on the speed of play there is a responsibility on the players to get on with it, but ultimately that is on the governing body to enforce.

‘I think it should be taken away from the subjectivity of a single referee, and I have always argued for a shot-clock — even at the World Championship. Punters will turn off and put Netflix on if it’s too slow.’

Mark Selby was warned for slow play in his semi-final win over Stuart Bingham

Selby, 37, defiantly shrugged off the flak, telling his rivals: ‘I have never used gamesmanship in my life.

‘I don’t want people saying, “He was great to watch… but he didn’t win anything”. If you think I’m boring, watch Coronation Street.’