World Cup of Darts: Australia beat Wales 3-1 to lift title

Simon Whitlock (L) and Damon Heta became the first Australians to lift the World Cup of Darts trophy

Australia beat Wales 3-1 in Frankfurt to win the World Cup of Darts and become only the fifth country to lift the title.

Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta proved too strong for Wales' 2020 title winners Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton at Eissporthalle.

The Australian pair ended the hopes of England's James Wade and Michael Smith in a 2-0 semi-final win.

Wales made the final with the same scoreline against Netherlands.

But 10 years after losing 4-3 in a sudden-death leg alongside Paul Nicholson in the 2012 final to England's Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, Whitlock was able to taste success with Heta as his partner.

"We weren't at our best in the final but Simon and Damon played fantastic," said world number two Price.

"I said at the beginning of the tournament we'd play Australia in the final, but I predicted that we would win, so I was wrong there!

"We didn't fire tonight, but we'll be back and we will be stronger next year."

Whitlock closed out the match for Australia and said: "It is life-changing. I have dreamt about this moment my entire life and I've finally got there.

"It feels amazing. I had a great partner. Damon has been amazing.

"He's a great friend, and he's the best player on the planet right now. He is going to be the next world champion."

The winners took home £35,000 each with Price and Clayton pocketing £20,000 apiece.

• Are you stuck for Father's Day ideas? Here's some simple yet sophisticated recipes that will do the trick

• Saudi Arabia's $2bn golf series: Is this a new exciting tournament for golf or a method to cleanse the country's global reputation?