Mark Selby

Bring back the Nations Cup

Wed Aug 26 02:36PM

Recently I competed at the Paul Hunter Classic tournament in Germany and it was a good event as always - we know what to expect from it at this stage.

However, there were some problems this year. It was very hot in the arena which made it difficult for cueing and I think a lot of the players would tell you the same thing. There was air-conditioning there but it wasn't giving out much air - and at one stage I even resorted to wearing a glove.

I reached the last 16 of the tournament before being beaten by Rory McLeod. I played okay in patches but I knew going into the tournament that I was going to be a bit rusty and the main aim of the event was to get some match practice under my belt.

I only arrived at the tournament late on the Friday evening so I was not able to take part in the players' party they always hold there: an opportunity for fans to come and mingle with the players and get autographs etc.

However, I did compete in the World Team Speed Cup which was great fun. I was on the England team with Joe Perry and Jimmy White and we were beaten in the final by the Welsh team of Ryan Day, Dominic Dale and Daniel Wells.

It wasn't the most serious of competitions and there was a lot of running around the table like a lunatic, but it did remind me of the Nations Cup which up to a few years ago was still a part of the professional circuit.

I really think snooker needs an event like that to return because things are a little stale at the moment. In the past the tournament was basically a British and Irish event but there are more countries getting involved in snooker all the time which would lead to a much more competitive competition.

China is the perfect example: they would not have had that strong a team a few years ago but if there was a Nations Cup being played this year they would be one of the favourites.

One new event that has been added to the calendar is the Six Reds World Championship which is due to take place in Ireland in December.

I have not signed up for it yet, but it is something that interests me and I will probably call the organisers when I return from the Shanghai Masters to learn more about the event.

I'm flying out to China on Thursday to travel around and do some media work to promote the Shanghai Masters in the week running up to the event.

I've had some practice matches with Michael Holt and Joe Perry to help prepare and after completing the media work I'll have a few days off to practice in China before the event starts.

My first match is against Stuart Bingham, who I have played quite a few times in the past. It is a tough opening contest but I think I just come out in front in our head-to-head meetings so hopefully that will serve me well.

Once again we are offering you the chance to ask Mark questions throughout the season. If there is anything you would like to know about Mark or snooker in general then just post a question below - and he will answer a selection of them.

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