Russell - the
most lethal Billiards player ever
by Ashok Shandilya
(Indian Billiards Player) speaking to CSI Correspondent
I first saw Mike Russell when he played
in the World Professional Billiards Championship at The Leela in the
90s. I was refereeing the inaugural match between Russell and
Devendra Joshi. In four visits he was up by a thousand points,
breaks of 350, 300 and 200. I had no time to even sip a glass of
water. Joshi would make a few points, miss a ball and Russell would
make a 200 break.
In due course it was my turn to play against him in the pro circuit
and I got a clear view of his greatness. I have never seen his kind
of concentration, touch and consistency. Even when he was out of
touch or practice he could yet produce a great game. Two years ago
he didn't qualify for the knockout of the world event because of his
indifferent touch. He lost to me and Lee Lagan in the league. I made
it to the semis where I lost to Lagan who was beaten by Geet Sethi
in the final. It was Geet's first world title after a gap of eight
years.
But next year, Russell was back with a vengeance, making breaks of
900 plus and re-claiming the title. He beat Geet in the semis. He
had a 900-plus lead after the first session and though Geet
outplayed him in the second there was no way Russell would lose. The
same happened in the 2008 final where Russell almost led by 500 at
the break. That's one of his specialties. He finishes his opponent
in the first session itself. I have not seen any other player doing
this so consistently. Nobody can be a match for him when he is in
full flow.
The comparison with Sethi will always be tempting. I would say if
the two play ten times Russell will win seven times. Sethi of late
has been giving his opponents a chance. Not so Russell whose game is
lethal. You give him one chance and he will make a break of 200 at
least.
I have beaten him about eight times in long and short formats. I
have done that by keeping him behind with big breaks and frustrating
him with white-pot-and-double baulk.
In short like Sethi Russell is a living legend. Before the
baulk-line rule came Indians ruled the roost. But Russell made a
fine art of tackling this rule which says one's hand ball must cross
the baulk every 80-100 points.
Ashok Shandilya - Indian Billiards Player
Mumbai -
Monday 28 July 2008
|