India 'A' in World snooker final

Former world champion Pankaj Advani displayed great skills against fancied Thailand to propel India 'A' into the final of the World Snooker Team Championship at San Jose, USA.

Advani asserted his supremacy over Kobkit Palajin by carving a fine 57-22, 117-8, 21-22 victory, which included a break of 82 in the second frame.

Manan Chandra posted a comprehensive win over Atthasit Mahitthi but Yasin Merchant lost two of the three frames against Phaithoon Phonbun.

In the final, India will face England, who had beaten them in the league phase earlier in the tournament.

They booked their place in the title round by routing Hong Kong 6-1 in the other best of nine-frame semi-finals.

Earlier, India A had defeated Australia 5-2 in the quarter-finals while India 'B' team, comprising Rafath Habib, Siddhartha Rao and Aditya Mehta, lost to Hong Kong 3-5 in their last eight stage match.

The Indian Seniors team of Geet Sethi, Devendra Joshi and BVS Murthy entered the final of their competition, defeating Australia 5-2.

They now face New Zealand, who got the better of Ireland by an identical margin in the other semi-final.