Trump could be heard explaining to his opponent that his cue had become muddled with another player’s on the practice table, referring to a mix-up with “Ben” – presumably fellow English player Ben Woollaston, who was due to take on China’s Long Zehuang in the last 16.

Judd Trump beats John Higgins to reach the Wuhan Open quarter-finals, despite returning from the mid-session interval with another player's cue.

The incident did not put the world No 1 off his stride as he made a break of 56 to open up a 4-1 lead, having earlier recovered from losing the opening frame.

World number one Judd Trump overcame picking up the wrong cue to complete a 5-2 win over John Higgins and book his place in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open.

World number one Judd Trump overcame picking up the wrong cue to complete a 5-2 win over John Higgins and book his place in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open.