VIDEO: These are the five best darts matches of 2023 so far

The busy end of year spell is almost upon us and we have a lot of great matches ahead of us. But this year has already produced some barnstorming encounters. The PDC has created a top five with the best five matches of 2023 so far.

The first nomination is for the clash between Rob Cross and Gary Anderson at the Masters at the end of January. Both players managed to throw an average of over 110 in this one. In the end, it was Cross who won 10-6 with an average of 112.32.

Also featured is Jeff Smith's spectacular victory over Luke Humphries (7-6) in the semifinals of the US Darts Masters. The duel between Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen during the eleventh week of play of the Premier League Darts was also a fine one. After a titanic battle, Price won 6-5 over the Dutchman.

Then another starring role for Price, but this time as a loser. His match against Joe Cullen, won 13-11 by "The Rockstar," is considered one of the best duels of this year. The last nomination is, of course, for the World Darts Championship final between Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen. This one included a nine-darter by Smith, after Van Gerwen himself had missed the double for the perfect leg in the turn before. In the end, Smith took his first world title by beating Van Gerwen 7-4.