Anderson enjoying return to Premier League life

Anderson enjoying return to Premier League life

Gary Anderson admits he is enjoying the return to a traditional Premier League schedule in 2022.

Gary Anderson admits he is enjoying the return to a traditional Premier League schedule in 2022.

Having withdrawn from the 2019 event through injury and playing predominantly behind closed doors in 2020 and 2021, Anderson is looking to enjoy a full Premier League campaign around Europe for the first time in four years.

The 51-year-old reveals he is making the most of his 11th Premier League campaign ahead of Thursday's Night 3 in Belfast.

“It’s quite good actually [the new Premier League format]," said Anderson.

“I’m actually enjoying being back playing darts. You never thought you’d hear me say that but I actually am.

“Put it this way, throwing every three days is better than three, four or five weeks. It’s got to be better.

"But play well or play bad, I’m still enjoying it, and that’s half the battle.

“It will be good to get back to Belfast after shutting the country for the last year or two years.

"It’s nice to get back on the road and playing in different venues instead of just one like we had to before."

Anderson's quarter-final opponent at the SSE Arena on Thursday night will be a familiar foe in Peter Wright.

The Scottish duo lifted the World Cup title together in 2019, though in more recent times Wright has been a thorn in Anderson's side.

“He’s come on leaps and bounds from 10 or 12 years ago when I met Peter at the PDC," Anderson continued.

“He’s a double World Champion now, he’s done brilliant for himself.

“In the World Championship semi-finals, he nipped it. I would have liked to make it 5-5 to see what would happen. But he got the game out at 6-4.

“Then I played him in the Premier League in the semi-finals on the first night and he done me 6-5. So I’ll have to try and get a bit more practice in!

Night 3's other quarter-finals will also see Michael Smith - the only player without a win so far this season - meet Gerwyn Price, Joe Cullen up against Michael van Gerwen and James Wade face Night 2 winner Jonny Clayton.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS FOR NIGHT 3 IN BELFAST

The Cazoo Premier League is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).

Night 3 - The SSE Arena, Belfast
Thursday February 17
Quarter-Finals

Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price
Joe Cullen v Michael van Gerwen
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
James Wade v Jonny Clayton

Semi-Finals
Smith/Price v Cullen/Van Gerwen
Anderson/Wright v Wade/Clayton

Final
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