Darts star Adrian Lewis has hit out at suggestions that some of today’s very best players are at the same level as Phil Taylor was in his prime, in particular, teenage sensation Luke Littler. Talk of a match between Littler and Taylor has been rife in recent weeks after an April Fool’s joke suggested a clash was on the cards.

Since breaking through the ranks, Littler has asserted himself as one of the best on the scene, playing a key role in the growth of the sport due to his young age. However, Lewis does not believe that the ‘Nuke’ has reached the levels of Taylor at this stage.

Speaking to Online Darts, he opened up on how Taylor was relentless in how he would put you under pressure, explaining: “It's a leg on leg pressure what Phil Taylor used to do to you.

“Looking at Luke at the World Championship for instance, his high would be obviously above Phil's but his mediocre wasn't as good as Phil's B game kind of thing. So that's when Phil would pounce on you.

"I don't know who is saying these comments but they mustn't know that much about darts if they haven't seen Phil at his best. We've all witnessed this and have been in front of it many times."

Although clearly ranking Taylor as the best to have ever graced the oche, Lewis ensured that he did not play down Littler’s talent and went on to heap praise on the 18-year-old for how he has already managed to find a way to beat some of his strongest rivals.

Asked about Littler’s ability, Lewis added: “He's just a different level. There's only one player that can beat him at the minute and that's Gezzy (Price). Everybody else seems to not to be playing their A-game against him.

“I could only feel (the aura) the likes of that with Phil Taylor and MVG (Michael van Gerwen) in the practice room while I haven't been in the practice room so I don't know what goes on. But I know one thing, if I was coming through there's no way they'd let you have any aura they'd pounce on you."