England v Australia 'Ashes' - in darts!

England will be pitted against Australia when four PDC darts stars divide into two teams for 'the Ashes' exhibition in Wolverhampton next month.

Wes Newton and Wayne Mardle have been paired against Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson at the Cleveland Arms, Stowheath Lane, on July 12.

Englishman Newton and Aussie's Whitlock and Nicholson are all in the PDC's top 16 and hold rankings of fifth, sixth and 15th respectively.

Mardle reached four PDC world championship semi-finals between 2004 and 2008 and is now a commentator at PDC events for Sky Sports.

Whitlock went one better but fell in the 2010 world championship final to Phil Taylor, who beat him again in the Premier League final last month.

The four will split into two for a league-style format to play singles and doubles matches on the night, picking up points towards their final score.

All of the players will play each other in a best of five legs game, with a point for a win, before a doubles match where two points are on offer.

In the event of a tie, the most legs won in both formats by each team count and, if they are the same, a one-leg sudden doubles match will decide.

Punters will also get the chance to play each of the quartet, with three legs against each player to be drawn at random from ticket numbers.

There will also be a raffle on the night to raise funds for the event's chosen charity, Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Tickets for the night are £10 each and can be purchased by calling 01902 451 021 or from www.clevelandarms.com.