Fab Gab fightback has Luke sweating

ROB CROSS claims Luke Littler is like a tin of Ronseal - a polished act, he does exactly what it says on the tin, but you can deck him.

- BY MIKE WALTERS

The 2018 world champion booked a fourth-round showdown against Luke the Nuke tonight with a stunning 4-0 whitewash of Aussie No.1 Damon Heta.

And the former electrician, known as Voltage, insists His Nukeship is not unbeatable, saying: “There's no pressure on me - if I lose to Luke Littler, who cares? But if I go up there with a positive mindset, I hope I can get a tune out of myself and who knows what can happen?”

Cross, who has slipped down the Professional Darts Corporation order of merit to No.20, is still a dangerous customer on his day - as Heta found out to his cost.

The Aussies may have trounced England in 11 days to retain the Ashes before producing that strip of light rough in Melbourne, but Cross put them in their place at the World Championship. And comparing defending champion Littler (below) with fence paint may sound like a backhanded compliment, but it is hard to disagree with the analogy.

Cross, 35, said: “Realistically, I need to start well. If I can hit top gear, I think we are all capable, it's whether you can deliver on that day.