Watch all nine days of the Grand Slam of Darts live on Sky Sports, starting on Saturday at 1pm
Sunday 10 November 2019 20:13, UK
The Grand Slam of Darts is set to descend on Wolverhampton, with the best that the PDC and BDO have to offer facing off for one of the biggest prizes in the sport.
Although predominantly a PDC event, this annual show of darting unity - which starts on Saturday afternoon - also sees eight players from the BDO take to the oche. To date, the organisation has provided one winner in the tournament's history - Scott Waites in 2010.
However, few 'BDO representatives' have been as well placed for a crack at the Grand Slam title as reigning Lakeside champion Glen Durrant. Despite being a full-time member of the PDC since winning a tour card earlier this year, 'Duzza' qualifies for the tournament by virtue of being reigning BDO world champion. The Middlesbrough native has garnered gravitas among the world's top stars after impressive showings in his debut PDC season.
Gerwyn Price is the reigning champion, having sealed his maiden major title at the Aldersley Leisure Village 12 months ago, beating Gary Anderson in an ill-tempered decider.
The 'Iceman' will be among those hoping to snap Michael van Gerwen's hot streak. The world No 1 is in serious form, winning three television titles in the last month; the Grand Prix, Champions League and Players Championship Finals.
"I want to win anything what I'm competing in, everyone knows what I'm capable of and what I can do."
Lisa Ashton and Mikuru Suzuki will become the first female competitors in the tournament since 2010, and will be hoping to ruffle a few feathers in the coming days.
Van Gerwen is playing his very best darts right now. The Dutchman is oozing both class and confidence as he looks for his fourth Grand Slam triumph, after wins in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Reigning champion Price heads the chasing pack. The Welshman sealed the title last time out in an eventful, controversial final. Speaking on the Darts Show Podcast, he made it clear that he has his eyes on the prize:
2018 world champion Rob Cross is having a fine season to date, triumphing at the World Matchplay in Blackpool, and backing it up with success at the European Championships last month. 'Voltage' will be hopeful of delivering yet another major title.
Peter Wright has been showing good form of late, and 'Snakebite' will be confident of emerging from a group which contains Danny Noppert, Ryan Harrington and Wayne Warren.
Durrant heads the BDO's challenge. 'Duzza' has shown he has what it takes to mix it with the very best in the business, and has set high standards for himself in his initial season in the PDC. 2019 has seen him claim wins over MvG and James Wade at the World Matchplay, and a victory over Cross at the Grand Prix.
"I'm desperate to win the Grand Slam before the end of my career"
Anderson, Daryl Gurney and Michael Smith are others who will quietly fancy their chances as they head to Wolverhampton, with UK Open champ Nathan Aspinall coming in as a potential dark horse.
Ashton and reigning women's world champion Suzuki feature on the eight-strong BDO representation. Richard Veenstra, Dave Parletti and Wayne Warren are also a part of that cohort, meaning over half of the BDO's ticket will be appearing at the tournament for the first time.
There are three debutants among the PDC contingent.
Harrington (son of former World Matchplay champion and Sky Sports pundit Rod) and Gabriel Clemens both sealed their spots in Monday's qualifiers in Wigan.
Meanwhile, William O'Connor will make his bow at the tournament, after reaching the World Cup final with fellow Irishman Steve Lennon.
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The action is back on your Sky Sports screens next month with the Grand Slam of Darts, nine days of coverage from the Aldersley Leisure Village gets underway on Saturday, November 9.
