By Richard Preen

World Ranking: 72
Date Of Birth: 10/08/82
Form: Q/Q/Q/Q/Q/
World Championship best: Last 32 - 2002

Shaun Murphy joins the Crucible contingent for the second year running after negotiating five rounds of qualifying with the only real test emerging in Round five where he triumphed 10-8 against Mark Davis.

Last year he achieved the same feat but in the first round proper fell short and lost 10-4 to runner-up Stephen Hendry.

This will certainly stand him in good stead with his second assault on snooker's showpiece event.

His credentials certainly put him in a good light and it's something of a surprise that he hasn't made a bigger impact.

He was selected by the World Snooker Association to join their young players of distinction scheme which helps players' development.

The course consists of specialist coaching and tutoring to prepare them for all aspects of life as a professional snooker player.

In 2001 he was voted Newcomer of the Year after winning that year's Benson and Hedges Championships.

In addition he has won two Challenge Tour events which are primarily for players who have just missed out on competing on the main tour.

The fields of players extend to as many as 400 competitors which highlights the significance of winning one, let alone two, of these events.

He would probably regard his form this season as disappointing after making just two venues with one of those being his route to Sheffield.

His other was a trip to Edinburgh for the Scottish Open where he was beaten by Drew Henry.

His world ranking position of 72nd should be impacted upon once the points for these two events are added.

The possibilities of Murphy having a successful run at the Crucible are not remote, although his form so far this season does not indicate that of a potential champion.