Taylor set for final competitive outing after coming out of retirement

PHIL TAYLOR is preparing for one final hurrah as he makes his shock return to competitive darts alongside Adrian Lewis.

The 16-time world champion is coming out of retirement to team up with his old Stoke partner in the MODUS Super Series International Pairs Tournament.

Taylor, 66, and Lewis will pull on the England shirt for the competition in Portsmouth from November 23-28.

The pair previously won a record FOUR PDC World Cup of Darts titles together between 2012 and 2016 and will now join forces again for the first time in a decade.

Former world No1 Taylor insists Lewis is the only reason he agreed to pick up his darts again and believes he still possesses the talent to trouble the very best.

He told SunSport: Taylor told SunSport: “I was only semi-retired! It was an offer and I said: ‘Yeah, I’d play.’

“If it was anybody else, I wouldn’t have played, seriously. With Aidy I’m going to play.

“There’s a lot of pressure on him now. Let’s see how his bottle goes!

“I’m going to be excited. I’ll be a little bit nervous on the way down there.

“But once I’m there I’ll be fine. Aidy will cover me if I have a bad shot. I just tell him and he does it. ‘Aidy, hit me a 180’ – that’s the talent he has.

“I have been practising every day. I’ve been down to a local pub to practise.

“Now the weather has changed, I shall do it in the house. The dartboard comes soon.

“I’m enjoying it. It’s nice, trying to get my form back a little bit.”

Taylor believes their long-standing friendship and understanding of each other's game will make them a formidable partnership.

He added: “Aidy and I have been together for a long time. We know each other’s game. I did play with James Wade at first and we didn’t gel like me and Aidy.

“Even though James is world class, it wasn’t the same. With Aidy, it was easier, I felt more relaxed. We have a laugh together. Some people take it too seriously.

“Aidy is very naturally talented. He’s one of those people who can compete. And he could beat Luke Littler.”

The Power officially walked away from the professional game after losing to Rob Cross in the 2018 World Championship final, has also made it clear he has no intention of turning this comeback into a full-time return.

He continued: “Will I play after this? No. I doubt it very much. I get my pension in January – so, I will be enjoying my life. I have got other things I do now. I enjoy being at home.

“I love playing but it’s the A to B for travel, I’ve had enough of it. Even to get out of Stoke now, it can take me an hour with traffic, traffic lights and roadworks.”

Lewis, meanwhile, revealed he did not hesitate when offered the chance to partner his mentor.

He said: “I was told Phil would be interested in playing in the pairs. I was asked: ‘Would I pair up with him?’

“I said: ‘Yes. As long as it’s Phil and nobody else, I’ll do it.’ I have brought him out of retirement! Hopefully we can bring the trophy back.

“When you put that England shirt on, you feel more pressure for some reason.

“You aren’t just doing it for yourself, you are doing it for your partner, everybody back home, your family and sponsors. It’s quite nerve-wracking to be honest.

“Phil is the best. There is no comparison. Nobody can even come close to the man. Not just the World Championships, it’s everything else he won. He’s the best, ain’t he?”