Anderson Chasing Record Average

GARY ANDERSON is targeting a world record average during the 888.com Premier League Darts following his impressive start to the campaign.

Anderson tops the embryonic Premier League Darts table after picking up two wins from as many games in his debut Premier League Darts season, having defeated Simon Whitlock and Terry Jenkins over the past fortnight.

The Scot averaged almost 100 in seeing off Whitlock at The O2 and topped 102 in winning 8-4 against Terry Jenkins last week in Nottingham.

He has also produced ton-plus averages throughout his runs to the finals of the World Championship and Players Championship Finals recently, and has set his sights on toppling Phil Taylor's record televised average of 118.66 set at the 2010 UK Open.

"What I've done so far is not enough - I want to show people the 120-plus averages," said Anderson. "That's what I'm aiming for, to prove it can be done.

"Phil has had the 118 average and I want to smash it.

"I'm really enjoying the Premier League Darts so far. I'm still a little bit nervous in front of the big crowds but I'm getting there."

Anderson will face fellow Premier League Darts newcomer Mark Webster in Thursday's visit to the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.

The Welshman also won his opening game, against James Wade, but finishes of 170 and 160 were not enough in defeat to Phil Taylor last week in Nottingham.

However, Anderson is tipping Webster to continue his impressive start as they prepare to continue a rivalry which began when they contested the final of the 2007 International Darts League in Holland.

"We saw photos from the game in Holland in the IDL on the internet recently and had a laugh about it," said Anderson. "I look about 25 and he looks about 16 and we've aged since!

"Mark's playing well. He's packed his job in and is playing darts 24/7, and you can see his game's come on leaps and bounds.

"He's always been a good player but now he's finishing big and scoring a lot more 180s.

"It will be nice to play Mark. I always used to struggle when I played players who I was good friends with, and it took a few people to grab me by the throat and say 'this is your living, there's no friends on stage'.

"I have to be more ruthless and if I get a chance to rip his heart out I will, and Mark will be exactly the same."

888.com Premier League Darts
Week Three - Odyssey Arena, Belfast

Gary Anderson v Mark Webster
Simon Whitlock v James Wade
Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins

Watch live on Sky Sports HD1 from 7pm and also in PDCtv for subscribers outside the UK & Ireland