Rob Cross will begin the defence of his Brisbane Darts Masters title against DPA qualifier James Bailey, while Gary Anderson takes on Corey Cadby in the tie of the first round tomorrow.

The two-day tournament, the first of three World Series events in Australasia over the next three weeks, starts on Friday with the eight invited PDC representatives taking on eight regional qualifiers in the last 16.

Cross, the newly-crowned World Matchplay champion, takes on Australia’s Bailey. The 49-year-old won the Oceanic Masters last year and made his debut at the PDC World Championship in December, losing 3-0 to Steve Lennon in the first round.

Listen to co-hosts Alex Moss and Burton DeWitt preview the World Series triple header Down Under on this week’s Weekly Dartscast podcast, and also hear from special guests Des Jacklin, Brendan Dolan and Chris Mason via the player below!

At the top of the draw, number one seed Peter Wright meets former World Series winner Kyle Anderson, world number one Michael van Gerwen goes up against New Zealand’s Ben Robb, and Gary Anderson faces Australia’s former PDC world youth champion Cadby.

Third seed Daryl Gurney opens up his campaign with New Zealand’s Koha Kokiri, fourth seed James Wade plays Aussie Damon Heta, and Raymond van Barneveld begins his final World Series Down Under against home favourite Jaupai Puha. An all-Australian first-round tie pits Simon Whitlock against Brendan McCausland.

2019 Brisbane Darts Masters first round draw
(1) Peter Wright v Kyle Anderson
Simon Whitlock v Brendon McCausland
(4) James Wade v Damon Heta
Gary Anderson v Corey Cadby
(2) Rob Cross v James Bailey
Raymond van Barneveld v Haupai Puha
(3) Daryl Gurney v Koha Kokiri
Michael van Gerwen v Ben Robb

Picture: PDC