WRIGHT TO MISS WORLD SERIES OF DARTS’ AUGUST TREBLE-HEADER

Peter Wright will miss the World Series of Darts' August treble-header in Australia and New Zealand for medical reasons, and will be replaced by Dimitri Van den Bergh.

World Champion Wright had been set to star in the PalmerBet Queensland Darts Masters, PalmerBet New South Wales Darts Masters and TAB NZ Darts Masters next month.

However, the world number two has withdrawn from the World Series tournaments to undergo further medical treatment for an ongoing gallstones problem.

"I'm devastated to have to miss the visits to Australia and New Zealand but after further medical checks I have to put my health first," said Wright.

"I was really looking forward to finally getting to Australia and New Zealand and being introduced Down Under as the reigning World Champion in front of all the great fans there.

"I'll be doing everything I can to retain the World Championship and be back there next year instead!"

Wright will be replaced amongst the eight PDC representatives in the 16-player events by Belgian star Van den Bergh.

The 28-year-old won the Nordic Darts Masters and Dutch Darts Masters events in June to claim his first two World Series of Darts titles.

Van den Bergh was also a semi-finalist in the World Matchplay in Blackpool last week, having won that title two years ago.