Stephen Hendry

World ranking — 6

Earnings — £8,396,485

STILL very much the benchmark for any top ten snooker player, the awesome Scotsman has inspired the latest generation of players.

While not reaching the heights of the 1990s when he was unstoppable, Hendry is always a danger and is currently hanging onto the last semi-final spot in the Premier League.

Victory over Ding Junhui at the Glades would all but ensure he makes it to the knockout stage, which would be a remarkable achievement after a slow start to the new season.

After a poor start to the 2007-08 season, Hendry rescued his campaign by reaching the semi-finals in two of the last three ranking events, as well as the final four of the Premier League Snooker.

Hendry’s last major final was at the 2006 UK Championship. He beat Dave Harold, Mark Williams, O’Sullivan and Graeme Dott before going down 10-6 to Peter Ebdon.

His last ranking title was the 2005 Malta Cup when he beat Dott 9-7 in the final.

Generally considered the greatest snooker player ever, Hendry dominated the sport in the 1990s.

He won a record seven world titles between 1990 and 1999 and topped the rankings list for eight consecutive years.

The records go on and on; 36 ranking titles, over £8,000,0000 in prize money, over 700 centuries and eight competitive 147s.