The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsPhil Taylor STILL has an unbeaten record in Oceania in the World Series of Darts, but in the final regular World Series event we head to New Zealand for the very first time.
Friday marks the beginning of the last of the Oceanic World Series treble-header, concluding in Auckland. The tournament also marks the end of the World Series events prior to the finals in Glasgow.
Number One seed Phil Taylor starts his Auckland campaign with a match against Craig Caldwell. ‘The Power’ stands on top of the World Series table, and will be aiming to keep it this way after the Auckland Darts Masters.
Michael van Gerwen was left frustrated after a defeat against Raymond van Barneveld in Sydney, and he will be keen to hit back as he faces Rob Szabo in the first round.
World Champion Gary Anderson comes up against late qualifier Rob Modra. The World Number three hasn’t reached a World Series final this year, and this is his last opportunity, so he will be determined to put his name on the Auckland Darts Masters trophy.
Stephen Bunting can deny Simon Whitlock the chance to snatch a seeded spot at the World Series finals in Glasgow, and he can do it here by beating ‘The Wizard’ in the first round in a race to six.
Peter Wright faces a match against Mark Cleaver, another of the late qualifiers, whilst ‘The Asset’ Paul Nicholson faces James Wade.
Adrian Lewis reached the final last week in the Sydney Darts Masters, but lost to Phil Taylor, and will be keen to go one better this week, and faces David Platt on the first day of the event.
Raymond van Barneveld has struggled in previous World Series events, but a semi-final place in Sydney last weekend will give him confidence, and his Auckland Darts Masters begins against Loz Ryder.
First Round Draw & Tournament Bracket
Phil Taylor (1) v Craig Caldwell
Stephen Bunting (8) v Simon Whitlock
Gary Anderson (5) v Rob Modra
Adrian Lewis (4) v David Platt
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Rob Szabo
Raymond van Barneveld (7) v Loz Ryder
James Wade (6) v Paul Nicholson
Peter Wright (3) v Mark Cleaver
Schedule of Play
Friday August 28 (7pm Local Time)
First Round
Adrian Lewis v David Platt
Peter Wright v Mark Cleaver
James Wade v Paul Nicholson
Phil Taylor v Craig Caldwell
Raymond van Barneveld v Loz Ryder
Stephen Bunting v Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen v Rob Szabo
Gary Anderson v Rob Modra
Best of 11 legs
Saturday August 29 (7pm Local Time)
Quarter-Finals
Order of play TBC
Best of 15 legs
Sunday August 30 (7pm Local Time)
Semi-Finals – Best of 19 legs
Final – Best of 21 legs
