Snooker’s legendary Class of 92 have been on a winning run for over three decades, but with that streak under threat, John Higgins has the chance to keep it alive this week.

The iconic trio of Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams are still competing at the top end of snooker, having turned professional 34 years ago.

O’Sullivan was the first to land a ranking title, doing so at the 1993 UK Championship and a calendar year has not passed since without one of them winning a ranking event.

However, that amazing streak is in danger of ending in 2026 as none of the three behemoths of the baize has lifted a trophy this year.

The Wizard of Wishaw is into the semi-finals of the International Championship in Nanjing, China, where he takes on Chang Bingyu.

It will be a tough test for the 51-year-old against the thrilling young talent from Qinghai, who has knocked in an incredible 13 centuries on his way to the semis.

If the Scot can prevail and then down either Kyren Wilson or Fan Zhengyi in the final, then he will extend that winning run for the Class of 92.

‘It would be good to try and carry it on,’ Higgins told WST after beating Marco Fu in the quarter-finals. ‘I know there’s a couple more events left for the other boys to do it as well. It would be good.’

If Higgins cannot get the job done this week in China, then the trio will just have the UK Championship, Shoot Out and Scottish Open before the end of the year to keep the run going.

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Higgins has not shown much form this season so far, but has conjured up four good wins in Nanjing over Lyu Haotian, Xu Si, Williams and Fu.

He now expects a stern examination against the rampant Chang, who beat world number one Zhao Xintong 6-3 in the quarter-finals, making four centuries in the process.

‘Incredible, incredible talent,’ Higgins said of the reigning Wuhan Open champion. ‘I was sitting over on the other table and it was just hundred, hundred, hundred, hundred coming from the other table.

‘It frees your mind up, because I know I’m going to have to go in there and play some of my best stuff to give him a game.

‘He’s playing with so much confidence, he believes the bags are like bin lids. He will be tough to stop, but I’m happy with how I’m playing and I’m a lot more confident with my game. It’s a good run for me, this week, and I don’t want it to end.’

Higgins has a day off on Thursday before taking on Chang in a best-of-17 on Friday and he will be spending it with his wife Denise, who he credits as a huge help for his mood at events.

‘I’ve enjoyed it, and obviously the boss is with me as well this week, and it just makes all the difference,’ he said. ‘You’re doing different things and actually walking about with a smile on your face instead of thinking it’s tough out here.’

The four-time world champion revealed he has birthday duties on his mind, saying: ‘I need to buy her a bag. She’s going to be 50 next month, so I need to go and get her a nice bag.’

Even though he is into the semi-finals, there is still a long way to go for Higgins to get his hands on the trophy, with the clash with Chang over a best-of-17 and the final played over a best-of-19.

Given the flat draw and the length of the matches, the Wizard reckons only the World Championship is a tougher test for a player.

‘For me this is the second-hardest tournament to win, really, because everybody’s coming in first round, playing the best elevens,’ said Higgins.

‘And then if you do manage to get through to the weekend, the semi-finals are best of 17s. This is the second hardest to win frame wise, just behind the World Championship.’

If Higgins can pull off a victory in Nanjing then he will break Mark Williams’ record as the oldest ranking event winner, which the Welshman set last year at the Xi’an Grand Prix.

Williams beat Shaun Murphy in the final in Xi’an at 50 years and 206 days. Higgins turned 51 in May this year.