Reviewing the 2015 PDC Premier League Darts Selection

There was only one major surprise as the PDC announced the field for the 2015 Darts Premier League. Belgium's Kim Huybrechts joins what was otherwise a largely predictable group of the game's elite to contest the Premier League over the coming months.

Perhaps Huybrechts' inclusion was an attempt to dilute the strong British influence present in the competition. In Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, James Wade, Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting, five Englishmen will compete, while Scotland contributes Gary Anderson and Peter Wright. 

Along with Huybrechts, the formidable Dutch duo of Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld represent the only three players outside of Great Britain to gain selection.

It is understandable that the PDC would want to market the game outside of Great Britain by including more international players to generate wider global appeal.

Of course, that is pure speculation; they may have indeed simply felt Huybrechts was deserving of his place. He has shown he is capable of big performances. But whether he is consistent enough to match the elite on a weekly basis is another thing.

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His place comes at the expense of other big names in Robert Thornton, Vincent van der Voort, Terry Jenkins, Mervyn King, Wes Newton and Simon Whitlock. The latter two of that group were undoubtedly hindered by poor showings in last year's league, as well as at the recent World Championships. 

The others could have perhaps felt more unlucky. Thornton in particular has the right to feel that way after a strong World Championships run that saw him ousted by van Gerwen in the quarterfinals.

Huybrechts, though, has shown great potential after a breakout year in 2014, and the Premier League could be his chance to confirm his place as a world-class player.

Chisnall was perhaps the most uncertain of the other nine selections. He had his best year in the PDC in 2014, and despite an underwhelming World Championships, it would be tough to claim he does not deserve his place. He always seemed as though he would be in a group along with the names mentioned above, fighting for one of the final two spots.

The Order of Merit's top four all receive automatic bids, and few would argue that van Gerwen, Taylor, Anderson or Lewis were undeserving of selection at any rate.

Van Barneveld was the most obvious of the wild-card selections. The Premier League defending champion and 2015 World Championships semifinalist was hampered with health issues for a large part of last year, and the past few weeks have been a reminder of just how good he is.

Wade regains his place after controversially being snubbed last year, while Wright returns after the best season of his career.

Perhaps the biggest interest, though, will come in the performance of 2014 Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting. He has proven his worth in his debut season in the PDC and has the game to become a heavyweight of the circuit.

The Premier League begins February 5.