World title win will be life-changing for Cross

Rob Cross, the new darts world champion, says he is on “cloud nine” after his life-changing victory over 16-time winner Phil Taylor in the William Hill World Championship final at Alexandra Palace on Monday night.

Taylor was hoping to retire with a 17th world title but 27-year-old Cross, who was not even born when Taylor won his first crown in 1990, had other ideas as he produced a stunning performance to claim a 7-2 victory.

“I’m on cloud nine really,” Cross said. “It’s surreal, it’s not settled in yet. It was tough to take everything in last night.”

When asked if taking the title had changed his life, the former electrician – without a tour card this time last year – added: “Definitely. Darts, already, even before the World Championship had changed my life.

“I couldn’t have expected the way my year’s gone, but it has changed my life, without a doubt – especially last night and apparently I’m going to be a very busy boy.”

Cross went into the contest full of confidence after seeing off world No 1 Michael van Gerwen in the last four and managed to maintain his focus throughout as Taylor bowed out of the sport.

Cross said: “Phil’s walk on was emotional. I never really got dragged into that. I still stayed focused and knew what I had to do.

“With the crowd, I expected it to be a little bit more hostile towards me but where I managed to get in front in the game, I think I quietened them down and they never played as much of a part as they did in the Van Gerwen game.”

Cross averaged a remarkable 107.67, hit 11 maximums and had a checkout percentage of 60 en route to collecting a cheque of £400,000.

Taylor was criticised by some for his demeanour in the final which included him allegedly flipping his middle finger after winning the fourth set, but Cross had nothing but admiration for the 57-yearold and for what he has done for the sport.

He added: “He’s phenomenal and I’d like to wish him a very happy retirement.”