‘Sixth time lucky': Darts world champion Luke Littler can't drive yet
The PDC darts world champion has touched down in Sydney ahead of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong on Friday and Saturday, before heading to the New Zealand Darts Masters the following weekend.
Watch the world's best darts tournaments LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Littler burst onto the scene in early 2024, capturing the world's attention as the bearded 16-year-old made a fairytale run to the world championship finals in London.
He lost a thrilling final to World No. 1 Luke Humphries but has since proved he is anything but a one-hit wonder, rising to second in the world and winning his maiden world championship title in January.
Littler, who hails from Warrington in England, recently won the World Matchplay, becoming just the fifth player ever to claim darts' 'Triple Crown' by winning the PDC's three most prestigious events - the World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay.
The only others to do that are Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Humphries.
Speaking to news.com.au, Littler said 'it meant the world' to clinch the Triple Crown so earlier on in his career.
'Completing it within 18 months, it's just crazy,' the teenager said.
'Obviously joining the list of only four or five players now to have completed it is a really big achievement. I've reflected a little bit, not had much time, but I know for myself what I've done for my friends and family.'
Life is very different now for Littler, who has 1.9 million followers on Instagram and as one of the UK's most popular sportspeople is a contender for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, along with members of the England women's football team.
He is a stone cold killer with a dart in his hand, but there's one thing Littler is still desperate to achieve: passing the test to get his drivers licence.
Littler has shared his struggles lightheartedly on social media, revealing he has failed the theory part of the driving test five times, stalling his wish to get his driver's licence and hit the road. The Sun reports Littler's dream car is a Mercedes A-Class, a step up from his previous favourite Ford Focus.
'It's not easy is it,' Littler told news.com.au.
'When I book one in (a test), once I'm back home, it'll be number six. So hopefully sixth time lucky.
'But it's one of the things. I want to get out there with my mates and obviously as an 18-year-old you just want to go out on drives with your mates. I hope that can pass very soon and be on the road.'
A mad Manchester United fan, Littler said the biggest pinch-me moment from his time in the spotlight was taking his world championship trophy out on to Old Trafford and meeting United's players at training.
'Just a crazy experience going there, meeting all the players, and taking the trophy on at half time at Old Trafford,' Littler said.
'Hopefully I get down for the new season and see how the boys get on.'
For Littler, who turned 18 in January, his competition schedule is so busy he said he hasn't had a chance to celebrate his stellar 2025 campaign with a beer or a pint of Guinness.
'I don't think I did as much (celebrate with a beer),' he said.
'It was more the fact of just getting home after the World Championships. That was a long two, three weeks in London. We had Christmas off but yeah, it was long.
'And then it was literally just straight home for a week. Then we were back on another flight so there wasn't much downtime. But I'm sure I'll celebrate once I get a good few weeks off.'
Littler is making a serious habit of nailing 180s - he broke the tournament record with 64 180s in the World Matchplay - playing up to the crowd with a shrug after pulling off a perfect nine-darter.
'I love performing in front of any fans,' Littler said.
'Obviously the 180s and the big finishes, that's what gets the crowd up and they pay their good money and us dart players, we've just got to perform our best for them.'
Darts is all about having the hot hand, and there's no sign of Littler slowing down anytime soon.
'You've always got to be hungry to pick up titles,' he said.
'Obviously you want to win the titles but it's not the case every time. There's so many darts events on in the year, there are so many places you've gotta travel and visit. Just stay hungry and pick up more titles as the year goes on.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Glenn Maxwell's catch lights up T20 as Tim David's half-century helps Australia defeat South Africa in Darwin
Australia has dominated South Africa's largely unknown batting line-up to claim an unlikely victory in the first match of a three-game Twenty20 series in Darwin. South Africa lost by 17 runs in Sunday's clash at Marrara Oval, bowled out for 161 after Australia was dismissed for a disappointing 178 from the final ball of an innings rescued by Tim David's 83. South Africa's innings was built around 71 in 55 balls from wicketkeeper and opening batsman Ryan Rickelton. Josh Hazlewood was the hero for Australia, claiming 3-29, while veteran leg-spinner Adam Zampa finished with 2-32 from his four overs. Opening the bowling, off-spinner Glenn Maxwell took 1-29 from four overs and claimed a typically spectacular leap-over-the-boundary and toss-the-ball-in-the-air catch to get rid of Rickelton in the final over. Australia has now, unprecedentedly, won 23 of their last 27 T20Is including a 5-0 clean sweep in the Caribbean last month. The Proteas had managed only six wins from their previous 13 matches and had not won any of their last three bilateral series. Wild batting saw Australia collapse to 6-75, attempting to cash in on fielding restrictions during the first six overs, but a bad miss in the field allowed Tim David to salvage matters, hitting eight sixes in his 52-ball innings while batting with the tail. David was given a costly life on 56 when he skied spinner Senuran Muthusamy to long on, only for Tristan Stubbs to drop a straightforward outfield catch. The next two balls went for six. Australian captain Mitchell Marsh set the tone by smashing the first ball of the match, from Lungi Ngidi, over long off for six after South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl. But Travis Head (2) went in the second over and new number three Josh Inglis for a first ball duck in the third. Marsh (13) skied Kagiso Rabada to Kwena Maphaka at deep square leg, Cameron Green (35 in 13 balls) skied Ngidi straight up in the air and Mitch Owen (2) played the worst shot of the night, charging Maphaka to lose his off stump. AAP
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
David and Hazlewood shine as Australia sink Proteas
Australia have dominated South Africa's largely unknown batting line-up to claim an unlikely victory in the first match of a three-game Twenty20 series in Darwin. South Africa lost by 17 runs in Sunday's clash at Marrara Oval, bowled out for 161 after Australia were dismissed for a disappointing 178 from the final ball of an innings rescued by Tim David's 83. South Africa's innings was built around 71 in 55 balls from wicketkeeper and opening batsman Ryan Rickelton. Josh Hazlewood was the hero for Australia, claiming 3-29, while veteran legspinner Adam Zampa finished with 2-32 from his four overs. Opening the bowling, offspinner Glenn Maxwell took 1-29 from four overs and claimed a typically spectacular leap-over-the-boundary and toss-the-ball-in-the-air catch to get rid of Rickelton in the final over. Australia have now, unprecedentedly, won 23 of their last 27 T20Is including a 5-0 clean sweep in the Caribbean last month. The Proteas have managed only six wins from their last 13 matches and had not won any of their last three bilateral series. Wild batting saw Australia collapse to 6-75, attempting to cash in on fielding restrictions during the first six overs, but a bad miss in the field allowed Tim David to salvage matters, hitting eight sixes in his 52-ball innings while batting with the tail. David was given a costly life on 56 when he skied spinner Senuran Muthusamy to long on, only for Tristan Stubbs to drop a straightforward outfield catch. The next two balls went for six. Australian captain Mitchell Marsh set the tone by smashing the first ball of the match, from Lungi Ngidi, over long off for six after South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl. But Travis Head (2) went in the second over and new No.3 Josh Inglis for a first ball duck in the third. Marsh (13) skied Kagiso Rabada to Kwena Maphaka at deep square leg, Cameron Green (35 in 13 balls) skied Ngidi straight up in the air and Mitch Owen (2) played the worst shot of the night, charging Maphaka to lose his off stump. Australia have dominated South Africa's largely unknown batting line-up to claim an unlikely victory in the first match of a three-game Twenty20 series in Darwin. South Africa lost by 17 runs in Sunday's clash at Marrara Oval, bowled out for 161 after Australia were dismissed for a disappointing 178 from the final ball of an innings rescued by Tim David's 83. South Africa's innings was built around 71 in 55 balls from wicketkeeper and opening batsman Ryan Rickelton. Josh Hazlewood was the hero for Australia, claiming 3-29, while veteran legspinner Adam Zampa finished with 2-32 from his four overs. Opening the bowling, offspinner Glenn Maxwell took 1-29 from four overs and claimed a typically spectacular leap-over-the-boundary and toss-the-ball-in-the-air catch to get rid of Rickelton in the final over. Australia have now, unprecedentedly, won 23 of their last 27 T20Is including a 5-0 clean sweep in the Caribbean last month. The Proteas have managed only six wins from their last 13 matches and had not won any of their last three bilateral series. Wild batting saw Australia collapse to 6-75, attempting to cash in on fielding restrictions during the first six overs, but a bad miss in the field allowed Tim David to salvage matters, hitting eight sixes in his 52-ball innings while batting with the tail. David was given a costly life on 56 when he skied spinner Senuran Muthusamy to long on, only for Tristan Stubbs to drop a straightforward outfield catch. The next two balls went for six. Australian captain Mitchell Marsh set the tone by smashing the first ball of the match, from Lungi Ngidi, over long off for six after South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl. But Travis Head (2) went in the second over and new No.3 Josh Inglis for a first ball duck in the third. Marsh (13) skied Kagiso Rabada to Kwena Maphaka at deep square leg, Cameron Green (35 in 13 balls) skied Ngidi straight up in the air and Mitch Owen (2) played the worst shot of the night, charging Maphaka to lose his off stump. Australia have dominated South Africa's largely unknown batting line-up to claim an unlikely victory in the first match of a three-game Twenty20 series in Darwin. South Africa lost by 17 runs in Sunday's clash at Marrara Oval, bowled out for 161 after Australia were dismissed for a disappointing 178 from the final ball of an innings rescued by Tim David's 83. South Africa's innings was built around 71 in 55 balls from wicketkeeper and opening batsman Ryan Rickelton. Josh Hazlewood was the hero for Australia, claiming 3-29, while veteran legspinner Adam Zampa finished with 2-32 from his four overs. Opening the bowling, offspinner Glenn Maxwell took 1-29 from four overs and claimed a typically spectacular leap-over-the-boundary and toss-the-ball-in-the-air catch to get rid of Rickelton in the final over. Australia have now, unprecedentedly, won 23 of their last 27 T20Is including a 5-0 clean sweep in the Caribbean last month. The Proteas have managed only six wins from their last 13 matches and had not won any of their last three bilateral series. Wild batting saw Australia collapse to 6-75, attempting to cash in on fielding restrictions during the first six overs, but a bad miss in the field allowed Tim David to salvage matters, hitting eight sixes in his 52-ball innings while batting with the tail. David was given a costly life on 56 when he skied spinner Senuran Muthusamy to long on, only for Tristan Stubbs to drop a straightforward outfield catch. The next two balls went for six. Australian captain Mitchell Marsh set the tone by smashing the first ball of the match, from Lungi Ngidi, over long off for six after South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl. But Travis Head (2) went in the second over and new No.3 Josh Inglis for a first ball duck in the third. Marsh (13) skied Kagiso Rabada to Kwena Maphaka at deep square leg, Cameron Green (35 in 13 balls) skied Ngidi straight up in the air and Mitch Owen (2) played the worst shot of the night, charging Maphaka to lose his off stump.
Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Greatest crowd catch ever seen as Australia defeat South Africa
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia's win over South Africa in the opening T20 clash has been overshadowed by one of the greatest crowd catches ever seen. Tim David turned on the fireworks early for Australia as they recorded the 17 run win, but it was a man sitting in the front row that stole the show. Australia vs South Africa T20I & ODI Series | Watch every ball LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. In the 12th over of Australia's innings, David pulled a delivery off the bowling of Corbin Bosch that sailed towards the stands. The low soaring shot saw fans at Marrara Stadium attempt to haul it in, but it was one man who proved he had what it takes. And to make the catch even better, he did it while holding two beer cans in his other hand. Yes you've read that correctly, in his right hand he was holding onto two beers before hauling in the catch with his vacant left hand. Watch the iconic moment in the video player above A feat for the ages. Make him our new PM. Footage of the moment quickly went viral with cricket fans in awe of what the unknown individual had just produced. Mark Howard on Fox Cricket said: 'A nice snare in the crowd. Two cans in the right hand, the kookaburra in the left. Cool and casual.' wrote on X: 'CALLING IT - BEST CROWD CATCH OF THE YEAR AND IT'S ONLY AUGUST!' Another wrote: 'Legend status unlocked: Two tinnies, one snare.' A fourth added: 'Probably the best crowd catch of all time.' Fans in the area loved it. On the field it was the Aussies who proved too good against their opponents with Tim David once again leading the way. Australia found themselves in trouble after their top order failed to deliver any meaningful scoreboard impact. The Aussies quickly fell to be 3/30 before finding themselves in real strife at 6/75. Then Tim David clicked into gear. The middle order monster flipped the script and went after the South African bowlers as he sent the white ball to all parts of the ground. He quickly handed the momentum back to the Aussies as he raced to his half century from only 29 deliveries. His innings ultimately came to an end in the 18th over when he was caught after scoring 83 runs from 52 balls as Australia finished with 178 runs on the board. South Africa looked on track to chase down the Aussie total with opener Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs turning the screws with a 72-run partnership. Josh Hazlewood however put an end to their run when he removed Stubbs after capturing a bottom edge. Then it all unraveled for the tourists. Three balls later Hazlewood struck again by catching the outside edge of George Linde with Glenn Maxwell comfortably taking the catch at slip. Adam Zampa then got in on the action in the next over as he removed Corbin Bosch and Senuran Muthusamy in consecutive deliveries. A freakish Maxwell juggling catch over the boundary line to remove Rickelton ended South Africa's faint hopes as the visitors finished 9/161. The second T20 contest will take place on Tuesday from 7:15pm (AEST) at Marrara Stadium, Darwin. Originally published as Greatest crowd catch ever seen as Australia defeat South Africa
