LEWIS TIPS WADE FOR PREMIER LEAGUE RETURN
30/07/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
ADRIAN LEWIS says James Wade’s World Matchplay heroics should guarantee him a spot in next year’s Premier League line-up.
‘The Machine’ powered into a SIXTH final at the iconic Winter Gardens before eventually falling 18-13 to Luke Littler.
It was the second time the pair have faced off in a final in 2025, with Littler overcoming his elder rival 11-2 to win the UK Open in March.
World No. 5 Wade has been in magnificent form and picked up his first senior title since 2022 at the Players Championship 19.
Former World Champ Lewis has called for Wade to be given another crack at the Premier League — a competition he last featured back in 2022.
He said: “I don’t think he dropped below a 100 average all throughout the tournament which takes some doing itself.
“To still do that after he has been playing for 20 odd years, he is a credit to the sport.
“I think he is very under looked a lot of the time.
“Certainly, to me he is the best finisher in the world over the last 20 years.
“That might put him in the Premier League next year which he thoroughly deserves as well.
“He will just go from strength to strength and get more confidence.
“Obviously he reached another final and I think he can do big things again.”
Stoke-on-Trent thrower Lewis has been absent from competitive action for over 26 months.
The 40-year-old previously stepped away from the oche due to the stress of the game and to care for his ill wife Sarah.
Last week, eight-times major winner Gary Anderson urged Adrian Lewis to return to the oche, claiming the younger generation of players on tour are boring.
Lewis added: “I was watching the darts and then I thought why is my social media going mad here.
“I realised it was Ando, he opened his mouth and said all this.
“He is a great lad Ando and he makes me laugh.
“I just had to say he only wants me back because it is an easy draw!
“We will see when January comes where I am at.
“I’m doing a bit of the modus, playing an international pairs with Steve Beaton at the end of next month which I am looking forward to.
“Then come January we will see where we are at and if I can get my Tour Card back.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
