Cross reflects after Van Barneveld thriller: "I felt like I didn't practice for six months after that first set"

Rob Cross is through to the third round at the 2021/22 PDC World Darts Championship after seeing off Raymond van Barneveld in a 3-1 sets win.

Cross spoke afterwards and in particular discussed the first set where Van Barneveld claimed it with a 170 checkout en route.

"I have to admit, first set I felt like I was in no mans land. It really took me off my feet, it was weird 24 months and that crowd, that noise, we haven't had it and I have to admit, it sort of took me back and usually I think to myself not to worry keep ploughing on. But I was lucky, I had a decent next set and then Barney's head went down a little bit," said Cross post match.

"I felt like I didn't practice for six months after that first set. He come out with a lot of passion and a lot of adrenaline and I think for me, I was like a boxer where you've got like a 79 reach over a 42. It was mental."

For Cross though, the passion, determination and fight is there to reach the top again.

"I've got a lot fight, a lot of passion and I go up there now, I'm enjoying the game but I want to win again. I'm not sort of going in there and thinking to myself, am I just making the numbers up because I want to try and play well, I want to try and get my A game out again and I want to win and that's massive for me."