SNOOKER's so-called Class of 92 continue to outlive expectations.
John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan are all still at the top of the sport despite turning professional 22 years ago.
Between them they have 98 ranking titles with O'Sullivan in the lead on 41, Higgins second on 31 and Williams in third on 26.
Williams was a surprise winner of the Tour Championship earlier this month, beating O'Sullivan in the final.
Scottish snooker legend Stephen Hendry, who himself won 36 ranking titles and shares the record for the most world championship titles with O'Sullivan at seven, continues to follow the trio's careers closely.
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Hendy was the man to beat when the three men first came onto the scene in the nineties and he, along with many other observers, wonders just how long they can keep defying the odds with their longevity.
Speaking on his own YouTube channel, Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips, Hendry and fellow cue hero Steven Davis discussed who of the three ageing stars would be the first to fall away and "crack up".
Davis started the debate, saying: "Here's the thing with the fascination with the 'Class of 92', the macabre fascination of which one of the three of them are going to crack up first?"
Hendry responded: "At the moment it looks like John."
Davis continued: "At the moment, it looks like John. So, here is what I think is a really fascinating part of this.
"They are so good and they have been so good for so long that they've given us the opportunity to enjoy which one of them is going to crack up first.
"If you were talking about other mortals, this wouldn't be an issue.
"They are immortal beings in the snooker world and actually it's a joy to work this out.
"And whichever one cracks up first, no-one will criticise them."
Hendry said: "At the moment, you'd have to say, it looks like John.
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"One thing I see in John is that he follows one bad shot with another one. When you're still confident, you don't do that, you forget it and get onto the next shot.
"To me, he's holding onto bad shots and bad things are happening.
"Mark Williams on the other hand, he never does. He's just unbelievable."
Davis concurred and offered another reason as to why he felt the four-time world champ could be the first to go.
He said: "I agree, the reason why it could be John is that he's the most normal human being.
"Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams are really exceptional, weird people.
"John is less weird and more of a normal competitor's style. But the other two are enigmas.
"You can't understand Ronnie O'Sullivan and you can't understand Mark Williams.
"So I agree it's maybe John but not because of ability."
Hendry also revealed his pick to win the World Championship.
And if he's right, it will mean his own record of seven world titles is smashed for good.
The Golden Bairn is tipping O'Sullivan to win it all at the Crucible this time round.
But he did say that if the Rocket DOESN'T achieve an eighth world title this year, he will liekly never do it.
Hendry said: "I'm of the opinion that if he doesn't do it this year he might never do it.
"At the Tour Championship he said he's been working with Steve Peters again, is he putting everything in place to give it one big push?
"I think he's got another five, seven, eight years left in him.
"But his truly great performances are fewer and farther between than they used to be, but he's winning a lot of matches because people just can't beat him, he's set his standards so high.
"There's never been anyone like him, he's a genius.
"The public are saying 'Who can beat Ronnie?', well Ronnie, maybe that's the answer. If he's not up to it."
But Hendry added: "I tend to think he will win the world championship this year.
"I'm putting it out there, I think he will win it."
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