Premier League start is encouraging for Cross

The world number five from St Leonards achieved a draw and a victory in his first two matches before suffering his first defeat in his third game. Cross drew 6-6 with Jose de Sousa on Monday night and won 7-3 against James Wade on Tuesday, but lost 7-3 to Michael van Gerwen on Wednesday.

The 2018 world champion clinched the final two legs to earn a share of the spoils against Grand Slam of Darts winner De Sousa on the opening night. Cross started strongly with a 12-dart hold in the opening leg, which was sealed by an 82 finish on the bullseye, but his Portuguese opponent took six of the next nine legs to lead 6-4.

The 30-year-old Cross hit 180s in each of the last two legs, however, and claimed the latter with an 88 finish on the bull to pick up a point. Cross then comfortably saw off world number four James Wade, who received a late call-up to the event after world champion Gerwyn Price tested positive for Covid-19.

Voltage, as Cross is nicknamed, was in control throughout against a player who beat him en route to winning the UK Open last month. Cross quickly opened up a 3-0 lead, which he extended to 5-1 and 6-2 before wrapping up the win against a below-par Wade.

His unbeaten start came to an end, however, against world number two Van Gerwen, who averaged 107.58 in a superb display. Cross played his part in an entertaining contest, though, averaging nearly 98 and producing an 11-darter featuring five consecutive treble 20s in leg seven.