2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule: Friday December 18, afternoon session

The big question on Friday at the World Championship is: will the next Edward Foulkes show up?

Foulkes appeared out of nowhere (see also: Japan) to cause a stir on Thursday. There are eight players from six nations turning up at the Alexandra Palace for the Friday opener hoping to make their own mark on the World Championship.

Mickey Mansell's first job at these championships is to play well enough not to get fined. After that, a second round tie with Ricky Evans is the aim.

Looking to avoid a rapid exit is debutant Haupai Puha, one of the rising stars coming from New Zealand. He'll face many a battle for the DPNZ spot in future, but this could propel the talented Puha towards having a crack at the Pro Tour, like Damon Heta.

Darius Labanauskas made it all the way to the quarter-finals last year, and will be after more of the same, though he has Peter Wright, Simon Whitlock and Krzysztof Ratajski (among others) in his section. The Lithuanian number one can be a little erratic at times, but has shown himself to be more than capable.

Lucky D will be hoping to strike lucky against Chinese darts' prodigal son. Chengan Liu has been gone for a long time; last time the then-24-year-old appeared at Ally Pally, he was beaten up by John Part. Now 38, he has another 14 years of experience under his belt. A trio of ton-plus checkouts in the Chinese qualifier final suggests that Liu's got an eye for the big combo finishes that could turn big legs in his favour.

Wayne Jones has been many things: a World Championship semi-finalist; a Matchplay and World Grand Prix quarter-finalist; a Grand Slam semi-finalist; a European Championship runner-up, and much more besides. The only issue is that his most recent of those big runs was a decade ago. Eight years after he last got past the first round here, Jones is out for more.

The English veteran takes on the Irish prodigy, Ciaran Teehan. The 21-year-old is definitely one to watch. Averaging 98 in each of the last three games during the hotly contested Tour Card Holders' Qualifier shows he has plenty of grit. This one could well go the distance.

Last, but not least, is a return to the oche for Adam Hunt. The Hunter put in a professional performance to see off Lisa Ashton, though a bright start did fizzle out somewhat. There's more in the locker, for sure.

The same could absolutely be said of Jamie Hughes, who is among the seeds at his second PDC World Championship. The Tipton star is outrageously talented, with the potential to wreak havoc with his big scoring, but he hasn't yet found the key to success on the biggest PDC stages. A third round tie against Rob Cross, Dirk van Duijvenbode or Bradley Brooks awaits the winner.

2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Friday December 18

Afternoon Session (12:00 GMT)

12:10 Mickey Mansell v Haupai Puha (R1)

13:10 Darius Labanauskas v Chengan Liu (R1)

14:10 Wayne Jones v Ciaran Teehan (R1)

15:10 Jamie Hughes v Adam Hunt (R2)