Darts commentator Dan Dawson discusses Anderson's 'odd motivation' behind return to form: "Primarily to prove people wrong and annoy people"

Gary Anderson will be there for the fifteenth consecutive year at the World Matchplay, a tournament he managed to win in 2018. 'The Flying Scotsman' will take on Dave Chisnall in the opening round.

Anderson has been doing well again in recent months.

"I sat in this podcast and the back end of last year and we wondered what he was going to do. He didn't want to go the Slam, he refused to go and play the qualifiers," he said on the Love the Darts Podcast.

"He wouldn't go on the European Tour, that's changed. He wouldn't practice, that's changed. He's putting in the effort, it's graft. He's doing primarily to prove people wrong and annoy people which is fine.

"It's an odd motivation but if it gets Gary Anderson playing World Class darts, I'm fine. Go for it. We want to watch him play."

"He's won his first ranking title in nearly three years and says something. Gary should not go three years without winning something of some sort. That's what happened but it would appear he's back. Chizzy v Anderson take your pick, it should be brilliant."