Family time is just fine by Kyren as Worlds are rescheduled

This week would have seen the World Championship heading for the latter stages at the Crucible in Sheffield.

However, like other major sporting events, it was put on hold following the Covid-19 outbreak.

But World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn has said the tournament has now been rescheduled to start on July 31, although it remains unclear as to whether fans will be allowed inside the venue.

World number eight Wilson, who will be among the favourites whenever the World Championship takes place, is currently locked down with his wife Sophie and their two young sons at their Kettering home.

And while his normal practice venue of Barratts Club in Northampton remains closed, he is pleased there is now a date for him to aim at.

Everybody is thinking about when they will get back to work and, for me, snooker is my work,” Wilson said.

“Other than the World Championship, we were completely in the dark as to what would be the next snooker event.

“So, at least potentially, knowing that could be the first thing that we go back to can give someone like myself something to aim for.

“But, like everything in the country and across the world, nothing is set in stone. You don’t really know what’s going to happen.

“But, from what Barry Hearn said, it looks very probable and hopefully it will all be safe to go ahead.

“I have been thinking about practice and I have a table at home but, if I am honest, I have hardly used it because I have been helping to keep the kids entertained and helping Sophie with all of that.

“But ideally I’d like to get back to the club as soon as possible. Obviously, it’s difficult for them because they are closed due to the government guidelines. We just have to see what happens.”

While the lockdown has been tough for many, Wilson admitted it has been a welcome period for him and his family.

Spending so many days and weeks on the road and abroad can take its toll and the 28-year-old has enjoyed the time, although he admitted there is no comparison when it comes to how tough it is to play at the Crucible than keeping his youngsters entertained.

He joked: “Keeping the kids entertained is much harder!

“But it’s been nice. I don’t think we have ever felt so close together as a family with things like Facetime and doing quizzes at the weekend. I have more or less Facetimed my parents every day.

“We have been getting creative with the kids, doing games in the garden and going for nice walks each day and doing a checklist of finding things like different types of birds and different coloured flowers. So it’s opening their eyes to what is around us, which is great.

“To be honest, it’s been nice for me to get to know my kids a bit more because I am away so much.”