Darts fans bemused by Premier League line-up with Luke Humphries and Rob Cross snubbed
The eight-man Cazoo Premier League Darts line-up for 2023 has been slammed by fans for not including World No.5 Luke Humphries, former world champion Rob Cross, or European Champion Ross Smith.
With the top four players in the rankings qualifying automatically, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price have been joined by four others picked by the PDC and Sky Sports.
With Chris Dobey’s win at the 2023 Masters unofficially earning him a place, runner-up Cross didn’t get a spot with Ross Smith taking to social media to give his thoughts.
READ MORE: Premier League Darts 2023 line-up confirmed as world’s top four and four others join
The spots were handed out to 2021 Premier League winner Johnny Clayton despite a disappointing year on tour, as well as Nathan Aspinall, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Dobey.
With former PDC Tour card holder Matt Edgar writing: “I’m very surprised no Luke Humphries Wowzers!!”
A fan replied: “He’s not the only surprise, I thought Ross Smith would be in as he is European Champion.”
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Taking to Twitter, Ross Smith said of the decision: “As the reigning European Champion and the biggest 180-hitter in the world in the second half of 2022, I’m obviously absolutely gutted not to be included.
“But I respect the decision and wish all the players the very best for the event.”
The names in the tournament were revealed by the PDC on Monday morning, having previously been announced on stage following the culmination of The Masters.
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Another Twitter user posted: “Rob Cross has to be in there, played very well at worlds and even better in The Masters.”
Another name mentioned has been that of Danny Noppert, who is the reigning UK Open champion as well as fifth in the earnings table over the past 12 months.
Others pointed out that Cross was open about not wanting to be picked for Premier League action with a desire to stay with his family rather than adding in the extra travel.
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He said at The Masters: “I think I’m going to have a great year. The Premier League, for me, I’m not in, whether they pick seven, whether they pick four, whatever.
“I’m not even in the conversation, I’m not bothered.”
With the Premier League season consisting of 16 short-form tournaments that include quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final, the top-four overall qualify for the playoffs in May.
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