Cross fancies Premier League Darts return next year: ''I would love to play in it again"

Rob Cross hinted early this year that he did not actually fancy taking part in the Premier League Darts. A few weeks later, when the line-up was actually announced, 'Voltage''s name was therefore missing from the field of participants.

"I enjoyed the time with my family last year. Enjoyed darts more without the Premier League. Only my sponsors can convince me to participate anyway, I think,'' Cross let it be known at the time.

In conversation with Legal Sports Books, Cross now responds to those statements. ''I have to admit I always said I needed this year to reinvent myself. I played well at the end of last season, but I doubted the Premier League would do me any good this year, there is a lot of travelling and other things involved. Besides, there is pressure to perform every week.''

He seems to have made a good assessment, as Cross is experiencing a strong first half of the season. For instance, he won a Pro Tour tournament and a Euro Tour, and Cross made it to the final of the Masters.

With this performance, he is already becoming a candidate for the next edition of Premier League Darts. ''With the way I am playing now, I would love to compete again,'' he said.

''I'm back to my old self now. I feel like I'm getting better. My concentration is better. My game is better. I have a wonderful routine at the moment. Everything that is coming at me at the moment, I can handle well. Next year, I hope I can get in there and do some damage. If I can take that [Premier League title], that would be great."

The former world champion competed in the Premier League Darts four times from 2018 to 2021. In his first two participations, Cross made it to the play-offs each time and even the final in 2019. After that, he finished in a disappointing ninth place twice.