John Parrott and Stephen Hendry clash during live BBC coverage | Other | Sport

John Parrott and Stephen Hendry clashed as John Higgins and Shaun Murphy battled it out for a place in the World Championship final. Higgins opened his 100th Crucible appearance with yet another gritty performance against Murphy on Thursday afternoon.

The match is currently tied at 4-4 following the first session, with the Scot winning the final frame before the break with a break of 50. However, there were just 14 hours between Higgins beating Neil Robertson on Wednesday night and kicking-off against Murphy.

And while Parrott believed both Higgins and Murphy were suffering with fatigue and would benefit from a rest, Hendry disagreed with his old rival.

Kicking things off, Parrott said: “Do you know the best thing for this match? A good night’s sleep. I am telling you now, this will be the best thing – they will come back tomorrow far better.

“They are both having hangovers from the last match. Some of the balls they were missing at the start of the frame were just inexplicable. Tomorrow it will be miles better, you will see a better match.”

But Hendry replied: “I don’t understand it. How can you not come out and be buzzing? I understand John was (playing) at 11pm last night. John would never say that. I certainly don’t subscribe to Shaun Murphy having a hangover, not at all.”

To which Parrott hit back, saying: “I will tell you why, because he is following a peak performance that’s why. The last session against Zhao was as good as he has played in the championship. It’s difficult to come back the next day and keep producing that level.”

Hendry then said: “That’s why it’s the world’s biggest test, this competition.”

Before Parrott concluded : “We can argue about that all you like, but honestly they are definitely suffering a hangover. Explain to me why they are missing the balls they are missing.”