Scott Waites set for BDO world title defence

Yorkshire's Scott Waites will defend his title against the largest field in the event's history when the BDO World Championship begins on Saturday.

The draw has expanded from 32 to 40 players with Martin Adams and Christian Kist, champions in 2011 and 2012 respectively, among the contenders.

Waites, 36, will play Alan Norris in the best-of-five sets first round.

Stephen Bunting is the BDO's top-ranked player after retaining his World Masters title without conceding a set.

The Liverpool man suffered a shock defeat in the last 16 against Darryl Fitton in last year's tournament and has never been beyond the quarter-finals at Lakeside.

However, he believes his failure to make an impression in the showpiece event has been down to the quality of his opponents rather than any mental block on his part.

"When I won the World Masters in October I was favourite then, so I have proved I can win as the favourite," he said in an interview with betting exchange Betfair.

"I don't know if it is because I have wanted to win it so much that I have always seemed to struggle, but the last few years my averages have been really good.

"I have just come up against a better player on the day."

Tony O'Shea, whose 7-1 defeat in last year's final was the third time he has finished as the event's runner-up, may face three-time champion Adams in the pick of the first-round ties.

Adams must negotiate a preliminary match against Canadian qualifier David Cameron before he can prepare to meet the Silverback.