Smith on potential changes to World Series: "Eventually we want TV ranking tournaments in these places"

Michael Smith will compete Down Under in Australia and New Zealand as the World Series of Darts returns there for the first time since 201`9.

A field which will include Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock as local qualifiers despite their pedigree, Smith said that the future of the World Series is hopefully that they will turn into ranking tournaments.

“When you play in places like Holland, Australia, and New Zealand, you are not just playing qualifiers, you are playing top professional players on the tour,” Smith said.

“It showed at the Dutch Masters that anyone can win, and it’s going to be the same in Australia. It's not going to be easy and nor should it be. It's the World Series of Darts.

“Eventually we want TV ranking tournaments in these places.

“You could have a tournament where you have the top 32 in the world, and the Australian boys fill up the rest of the field.

“I think it could work. We just need to see the packed-out stadiums and then we could move to bigger venues.”

Despite of course having to stick to the task at hand, Smith will have the added boost of his family being there in Australia and New Zealand.

“It's a once-in-a-lifetime holiday for them," added the former World Series Finals runner-up.

"I will be working but I am sure they will have fun!

“Being away for three and a half weeks, I get homesick very quickly, so having them with me in Australia will be great.”