Watch: White gestures angrily to crowd after missed shot

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield — Veteran cueist Jimmy White experienced a moment of cruel fortune during his opening-round clash with Chinese hopeful Gao Yang at the World Snooker Championship, ultimately allowing his emotions to spill over toward the spectators.

White, 61, appeared to take a mischievous view of an earlier slice of misfortune, smiling wryly after an attempted pot rattled in the jaws and stayed out. Yet the mood darkened later in the session when, having again been unable to convert a key chance, the six-time finalist turned toward the stands and made an unmistakably angry gesture to the crowd.

The incident passed without formal sanction, but television replays captured the flash of frustration that underlined the stakes for the popular Londoner as he battles to prolong his 46th consecutive appearance at the sport’s flagship event.