Will Lithuania pull off a surprise coup against Australia?
Lithuania has been taking part in the doubles World Cup since 2019 and since then has been represented by the player duo Darius Labanauskas and Mindaugas Barauskas. So far the best result in the Darts World Cup was the second round, which Labanauskas and Barauskas reached in the last two years. Neither in 2020 nor in 2021 they managed to reach the third round.
Two years ago Lithuania was eliminated by the top-class English. Last year, on the other hand, the Lithuanian duo was eliminated by Wales. In this calendar year Lithuania got with the Australian player duo Heta and Whitlock already in the first round a hammer draw and is already classified as a clear underdog by the best bookmakers.
The Lithuanians’ first round opponent has been a regular at the World Doubles Championship for years. So far Simon Whitlock was represented at every World Cup of the PDC. Since 2020 “The Wizard” forms the player duo with Damon Heta – so also this year.
Whitlock and Heta have not yet lost in the first round of a doubles World Cup in the best-of-9. The Australian duo will be looking to continue that streak this time around and are confident heading into their clash with Lithuania. If Whitlock and Heta are successful again, Australia vs. Lithuania darts betting odds of 1.20 for tip 1 will be paid out.
Australia – Statistics & current form
As in the last two years, Australia will again start with Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta. For Simon “The Wizard” Whitlock it will already be the twelfth participation in a doubles World Championship. Heta on the other hand will take part in the World Cup only for the third time.
In the last two years the Australian duo was eliminated by Wales. Neither in 2020 nor in 2021 Whitlock and Heta could prevail against the top-class Welsh. In both years Australia was eliminated by Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price. That scenario can be ruled out this time.
Because Wales are in the bottom half of the tournament, a match against Clayton and Price is only possible in a potential final. Before that, Whitlock and Heta face feasible hurdles with Lithuania and potential opponents like South Africa and Belgium. Only in the semi-finals will there be top-class opponents in England or Scotland.
Another whitewash to start the tournament?
Last year, Australia had an emphatic win over Italy in the tournament opener of the 2021 World Doubles Championship. Whitloch and Heta even remained without a leg loss in the best-of-9 and thus got a “white wash” against the Italians. Over five legs the Australian player duo had an average of 92.78 and shone with a checkout rate of 55.56%.
The recent form curve of both players is also encouraging. In the last weeks Whitlock and Heta were convincing. Before the start of the tournament in Frankfurt Whitlock won seven of his last ten matches. Heta on the other hand celebrated even eight wins in his last ten matches. At the PC17 in Niedernhausen Heta was only eliminated by Kim Huybrechts in the last 16.
Throughout the tournament, Heta had an average of more than 90, but his doubles percentage could be improved. If this can be improved, Heta has a realistic chance of the next World Championship fairytale in a duo with Simon “The Wizard” Whitlock.
Lithuania – Statistics & current form
Lithuania is already back in the starting line-up with Darius Labanauskas and Mindaugas Barauskas. Last year, after a successful start to the tournament against the Magyars Vegso and Kovacs, the Baltic player duo only failed to reach the round of 16 against the Welsh. Lithuania only narrowly missed a surprise against players like Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price.
Barauskas lost his singles match against Price, but Labanauskas won his singles match against Clayton and thus forced the all-decisive third set, which was played in doubles. Lithuania narrowly failed to win the third set 3:4 and thus lost 1:2 in the overall score.
A year earlier, Lithuania was eliminated by England. At that time, the Baltic representative also made it to the second round, as it did in 2021. It remains questionable whether this time the tournament opener will be mastered, after all, there is a tough draw in the form of Australia in the first round of this year’s double World Cup 2022 in Frankfurt.
Form crisis of the Lithuanian player duo only a snapshot?
Darius Labanauskas was in contrast to Mindaugas Barauskas on this year’s PDC Tour. Though Labanauskas had to fight against a series of bankruptcies in the last weeks the results should not be overrated in view of the World Doubles Championship. After all Labanauskas recently played elite players like Aspinall, Smith & Co.
Against Aspinall there was a narrow 5:6 defeat at the recent Players Championship 17, in which Labanauskas had quite realistic chances to win. As in his match against Smith, which Labanauskas lost 4:6, the Lithuanian convinced with an average in the 90.00 mark. He will have to build on this at the World Doubles Championship.
Barauskas, on the other hand, remains a surprise package. How the doubles partner of world No. 43 Labanauskas will do against the favoured Australians remains uncertain for the time being. Last year, Barauskas stood up to the clear favourite Gerwyn Price and only narrowly missed a surprise in the best-of-six. Nevertheless, in the duel Australia vs. Lithuania Darts we do not dare to predict a Lithuanian victory despite exciting odds.
Australia vs Lithuania Darts Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
Australia and Lithuania will meet for the first time ever in a double World Cup.
Australia – Lithuania Tip
If experience at the World Doubles Championship is anything to go by, there is no doubt that the Australian duo of players have the edge. In the last two years Whitlock and Heta reached the quarterfinals of the World Doubles Championship and lost to Wales. The best result in a World Doubles Championship was in 2012.
Whitlock only narrowly missed a surprise against Lewis and Taylor, who represented England at that time. In the deciding last leg both double teams missed numerous chances to win the match. For Lithuania on the other hand the second round in a World Doubles Championship was the best result so far.
Lithuania will start as clear underdogs against the Australian duo Whitlock and Heta. The performance of Barauskas will be decisive in the tournament opener of the World Doubles Championship. If it gives the necessary support to Labanauskas, Lithuania can at least ensure a close match.
Whitlock and Heta, however, should not let themselves be deprived of the victory. Against the well-rehearsed Australian duo we see only little chance of a Lithuanian surprise coup. We therefore think it’s a good idea to place a bet on Australia vs. Lithuania Darts at reasonable odds on a handicap win for Australia with at least a three leg lead.
