12 February 2024 , 22:38
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has suggested John Astley should "find something else to do" after he was beaten 4-2 by Mark Williams at the Welsh Open.
O'Sullivan is currently working as a pundit at the tournament and the seven-time world champion did not pull any punches when asked about a shot Astley missed with the game finely poised at 2-2.
In a stinging assessment, O'Sullivan claimed Astley does not possess a "snooker brain" or good technique and claimed that "maybe it's time to find something else to do".
He told Eurosport : "If I've got a chance, I think I should win the game. If I'm out of position I'm taking it on because I just can't accept that I'm not going to win the frame so it's hard to refuse balls sometimes. I'd probably try and screw that in, pinch it in a bit and at least if you miss it the red goes away.
"But to play it like that, he's not even on the black... bad shot. He ain't got a snooker brain really, that's what it is. You've got to have a snooker brain.
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"Some people are good at maths, some people are good at English, some people just have a snooker brain and some people just don't play the right shot and they'll never play the right shot because their brain doesn't think like a snooker player.
"There are some top five players, I won't mention any names, that I don't think have a snooker brain but they have such good technique that they can get away with it. He has neither. He doesn't have a good technique and he doesn't even have a snooker brain.
"He's just going to make 30s, 40s, miss balls and never do anything really. It's unfortunate, but you've got to have one of the two. You've got to have good technique or a snooker brain and if you've got neither then maybe it's time to find something else to do."
O'Sullivan is on punditry duty after pulling out of the tournament at short notice. In a post on social media, he said: "Morning guys, I wanted to let you know that I've decided I'm not able to play in Llandudno next week.
"It's hard to explain but for years I've suffered from stage fright at times, brought on by anxiety. It's not something I can predict or control but I try to manage it as best as I can. I'm sorry to everyone who's bought tickets but I just can't get my cue out when I feel like this and I think this what's best for me right now."
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