"I don't think they will work together": Australia pairing snub England being favourites for World Cup of Darts

Australian pairing and former champions Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock narrowly avoided an upset loss at the hands of Tomoya Goto and Ryusie Azemoto with the latter missing four match darts over two legs at the World Cup of Darts.

Heta and Whitlock used their get out of jail free card and both expected the performance they got out of the Japanese stars.

"Honestly Japan played really well, I knew we was in for a tough game as these guys are really good," said Whitlock.

"That Asian Tour is going mental and watching those names all the time pumping 90-100 averages, you know what you're up against. You see them at the World's and they really take it to the players. They were relaxed up there, they were having fun and I could see it," said Heta.

"I think if we would have lost that match we were done because I can't see Japan losing that next match," continued Whitlock.

"Simon always gets up for the World Cup and always performs and that's what I admire and I think I just tried too hard always at the start. Every group stage, every start of the tournament. I just turn up on the last day rather than doing the ground work," continued Heta.

But while not playing up their own chances, Whitlock and Heta believe that England aren't the favourites for the title despite bookies saying otherwise and Whitlock believes Humphries and Smith will have a hard time gelling.

"They're both amazing players. But I don't think they will work together. I don't think it will work for them," remarked Whitlock.

"That might be nasty saying that. They're more singles players while we play a lot of pairs in Australia and that's how it works for us."