Their esploits have seen a profusion of quality billiards players emanating from India and, consequently, the country virtually usurping the status as base of the three-ball game.

In fact, India enjoy as much a share of the professional field as England with Australia, the home of legendary Walter Lindrum, putting up a lone contestant in Robby Foldvari.

It was in this context that Sethi, the reigning champion seeking his fifth title since his first in 1992, said the other day that the ensuing Florsheim Championship will be basically an India vs England clash with Foldvari, the 1986 champion, being the odd man out.

While a Sethi vs Russell final is to be expected (and there can be nothing better for the connoisseur) if the seedings hold good, such an outcome can hardlybe taken for granted.

The two maestros have met in four finals since 1992 with Sethi emerging victorious thrice.

Russell and Sethi would be the first to admit that competition in this 45,000 Pounds Sterling event, promoted by IMG, will be razor sharp, and even a momentary drop in form or concentration could mean an exit.

If Chapman, after his phenomenal entry into the professional ranks, has seen his form nose-dive in the past few seasons (his last major success was in 1996), then there are a couple of youngsters like David Causier and Chris Shutt who are reckoned to be dangerous floaters.

The other notable challenger is Peter Gilchrist, winner in 1994, but who has not reproduced that golden touch since.

Of course, one can never write off the tough-as-nails Foldvari who can be more than a handful as Sethi and Russell would readily testify.

The Indian challenge, apart from Sethi, would be spearheaded by Asiad gold medallist Ashok Shandilya, who though not being a `natural' billiards player, canpull off a coup or two.

Another entry from Mumbai, Nalin Patel, the cricketer-turned cueist, has enjoyed a fair season with some notable victories. But, World Championship is a different ball game, and indeed, he will have to play dream billiards to break the Sethi-Russell stranglehold.

Apart from form, the experimental points-up format (1000, 1500-semis and 2000-final) could play a decisive role in the championship. Designed primarily to check the slow-paced players and make the game more `spectator-friendly,' the format has been welcomed by the participants.

The top eight seeds have drawn a bye into the pre-quarter finals starting Wednesday, with Sethi taking on the winner of the Ferreira vs Alok Kumar tie.

Tuesday's fixtures:

10 am (1st round): D Sitwala vs Mukesh Rehani; 2 pm (2nd round): Manoj Kothari vs Harish Gandhi and Michael Ferreira vs Alok Kumar; 6 p.m. (2nd round): Devendra Joshi vs Satish Amarnath and Arun Agrawal vs I Malik.