"He's showed he’s not to be messed with, but I like messing with people" quips Stephen Bunting ahead of Luke Humphries World Matchplay clash

Stephen Bunting has no intention of allowing himself to be used as an interlude by Luke Humphries in the second round of the World Matchplay. The two Englishmen will fight each other Tuesday night for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Bunting won on Sunday afternoon for the first time since 2019 on the Winter Gardens stage by dealing with Ryan Joyce (12-10) after extension. ''I was over the moon to get through. I went through so many emotions in that game," Bunting reflected in conversation with the PDC.

“There were certain times where I felt I could just place them in the treble, and then there were other times I felt I was throwing with my wrong hand! This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world, so if you don’t have those nerves in your stomach then you shouldn’t be playing darts.”

It had been a while since Bunting had won a match at the Winter Gardens. 'The Bullet' does not have a good record there anyway. It was only the third time in 10 appearances that he survived the first round. Then in 2019, that resulted in another quarterfinal berth.

“To play on these stages is truly a privilege, and I’m trying my best to win each and every event that I play in,” insisted the former Lakeside Champion. “I believe I’m playing the best darts of my life. Maybe I didn’t show it against Ryan, but I’ve got another opportunity on Tuesday now. Listen, I’m still in the tournament, so I’m dangerous!”

But on Tuesday night he faces the most dangerous dart player in the world. He faces the man who now has the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship Finals and the World Darts Championship to his name. However, Bunting is not afraid of his compatriot, who impressed in the first round of the World Matchplay with a convincing 10-4 win over Martin Schindler with an average of almost 109.

“Who doesn't look forward to playing the best players in the world on the biggest stages?” continued Bunting.

“As well as Luke Littler has done, I still believe Luke [Humphries] is the best in the world at the moment. He showed the other day with a 108 average that he’s not to be messed with, but I like messing with people!

“It’s about proving what I can do. I’ve beaten him on the big stage before, and I’ve done it over a long format. We’ve had some really good games over the last few months.