HUMPHRIES WAS ALWAYS CONFIDENT LITTLER WOULD PLAY WORLD CUP

LUKE HUMPHRIES says he never doubted that Luke Littler would join him to form a dream team for England’s World Cup of Darts title defence next month. 

Teen sensation Littler’s participation in the tournament was plunged into doubt when he was given a rough ride by Munich crowds at the German Darts Grand Prix last month.  

Reigning Premier League champion Littler expressed relief at not having to return to the Fatherland until October. 

But the Warrington whizkid cleared the air last week by insisting he would defend the World Cup title. 

World No. 1 Humphries admitted he was never under any concern Littler would duck the team event.  

He said: “No, I wasn’t worried – and look at the team-mates I can fall back on!  

“I’ve got an array of partners that I can get if needed. I saw Luke’s (social media) post and I knew straight away that he didn’t mean what he said.  

“He probably forgot about the World Cup being in Germany. When I asked him about it he said, ‘No, I’m definitely playing.’ 

“Of course he is. No-one’s going to turn down playing for England. You can never turn down playing for your country.  

“I would never turn it down in a million years, no matter how tired I was, how ill I was.  

“I’m putting on the England jersey, whether I’m dying or not. I think Luke’s the same.” 

In 2024 Humphries and Michael Smith pulled off a record fifth England triumph in 14 years – on the previous four occasions, Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis had lifted the trophy. 

As the last two world champions at Alexandra Palace, ‘Cool Hand’ and ‘The Nuke’ will be the pair to beat in Frankfurt on June 12-15.  

Seven-time major winner Humphries is under no illusions about the target on their backs.  

He added: “We’re fully aware that we’re going to be massive favourites and everyone’s going to expect us to win.  

“But I feel like we have to take away that pressure and just go out and enjoy it. Luke’s obviously experienced a lot of pressure in his career already, but there is a lot more pressure when you’re playing for your country. 

“It’s not as easy when you’re playing by yourself, but Luke’s got good doubles experience from when he used to play in tournaments before he joined the PDC. 

“I was pretty new to the format when I played with Michael last year, but it didn’t affect me. We’re going to form a great team and if we gel, and play our best, it’s going to take a tough performance to beat us.”  

Image by Taylor Lanning.