SNOOKER: Lee hails new format

Trowbridge's world number 23 takes on Martin Gould, ranked 32, tomorrow night for a place in the quarter finals after defeating Nigel Bond in the deciding frame of their five-frame shootout.

The new event, televised on the BBC, is part of new world snooker supremo Barry Hearn's bid to revitalise the sport.

And Lee, a critic of the previous schedule that saw him sometimes go weeks without competition, said: "It's nice to be involved in something like this. Whatever Barry wants to try out on us, he should be allowed to.

"He turned darts around and I'm confident he'll do the same to snooker. As long as the audience likes it and television wants to be involved, that's the main thing.

"It's a quick-fire, one-table format and something totally different. You've got to keep yourself in it.''

Lee, who harbours ambitions of returning to the world's top 16 in time to secure a place in the prestigious Masters event at Wembley in January, will hit the road playing in the likes of Sheffield, Germany and Prague in the next few weeks.

He added: "This sport is all about momentum and having more tournaments to be involved with can only help that. It's an absolute pleasure to be involved in.''

The 35-year-old also hailed three-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan as "an absolute genius'' following his latest maximum break in Glasgow.

O'Sullivan courted controversy earlier in the week when he had to be persuaded by referee Jan Verhaas to pot the black to complete a 147 break in his clash with Mark King, after learning there was no prize-money bonus for a maximum.

But Lee said: "Only Ronnie could call a 147 after just two shots. He's an absolute genius and when he's on his game nobody can beat him.

"He's great to watch and he gives the whole tournament a buzz.''

Lee is due on against Gould at 7pm tomorrow night.

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