147th HEAVEN

Selby silences critics with max

- HECTOR NUNNS

MARK SELBY made the first 147 maximum break in a Crucible final last night as he battled back against Luca Brecel.

'The Leicester Jester' became the 10th player in history to enjoy the moment of snooker perfection at the iconic theatre in Sheffield.

And it was the 14th time in total one has been made, with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry, both doing it three times.

For Selby himself it was a fifth career maximum and it means Kyren Wilson - who had already made a maximum break this year at the Crucible - will have to share the bumper £55,000 pot.

And it saw Selby close to 9-7 behind before he took the night's final frame to close to within one.

It came less than 24 hours after he found himself angrily defending his playing style.