Cameron Menzies will finally realise a lifelong aspiration this week when he dons the dark blue of Scotland alongside his childhood idol, Gary Anderson, in Frankfurt. For a player whose professional existence has often resembled a particularly volatile stock market chart, the opportunity represents yet another extraordinary chapter in one of darts’ most idiosyncratic careers.
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Remarkably, the Ayrshire thrower admitted he has yet to be overwhelmed by the occasion, although he concedes the apprehension will inevitably arrive once he boards the plane.
“I’m quite fine at the moment, which is quite surprising. A bit nervous and spelled because I’m excited to finally get to put the shirt on for once. But yeah, quite fine because we’re busy this week and I don’t fly out until Friday, so I’ll start getting nervous on Friday when I’m flying over.”
The significance of his selection is not lost on Menzies. He becomes only the fifth player to represent modern Scotland, following in the formidable footsteps of legends who have become almost ecclesiastical figures within Scottish darts folklore.
“The four players who have played for Scotland before me are all edges of the game in Scotland. So hopefully one day I can be named in the same breath as them.”
Should chemistry prove more valuable than statistics, Scotland may possess a particularly intriguing concoction. Menzies and Anderson are almost diametrically opposed in temperament. One resembles a kettle perpetually threatening to boil over, the other possesses all the emotional volatility of a garden ornament.
“Gary is pretty much the exact opposite for me as a player. I think that’s where it might work, because Gary will just throw his darts, basically, and that’s it. If I make a mistake, Gary will be quite calm about it, no matter what. If I play well, Gary will be calm. If I play bad, Gary will be calm.”
The pair have already shared jokes away from the oche, with Anderson apparently assuming the role of honorary headmaster.
“We all sat at the table and stuff. And he was telling me to behave.”
Given Menzies’ well-documented emotional tendencies, perhaps no partnership could be more complementary.
“Yeah, I do. I figure if I get too emotional, too hyper, then he’ll just clip [me] around the ears and tell me to calm down.”
Despite some difficult months, during which Menzies openly contemplated walking away from the game altogether, the Scot revealed that hypnotherapy and improvements in his personal life have helped him rediscover equilibrium.
“I’ve been doing some hypnotherapy and stuff, which has helped me a lot. I feel like my darts is getting a lot better. My life’s getting a bit more settled as well, which is a massive thing.”
Indeed, matters had become so bleak that CVs had already begun circulating.
“I even started my CV again, and indeed that’s how bad it was.”
Fortunately, retirement plans have been shelved and optimism has returned.
“I’m definitely feeling better now than I did about three or four months ago, massively.”
As for expectations in Germany, Menzies sees no reason Scotland cannot become genuine contenders.
“I feel like if Gary plays the way he usually does, and I find my A game, we could be a team that would be hard to beat if we start playing well.”
For now, though, the greatest challenge may simply be remaining in his hotel room.
“I think Gary will tell me to go to my bed and put a lock on my door, so I can’t get out, because he knows what I’m like.”
Given the contrasting personalities involved, it promises to be one of the tournament’s most fascinating alliances. One man radiates serenity, the other occasionally appears to experience every conceivable human emotion within the space of a single visit. Yet in doubles darts, strange alchemy often produces magnificent outcomes.
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And should Scotland lift the trophy, Cameron Menzies may finally discover that sometimes the most improbable equations generate the most extraordinary solutions.
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Images: PDC Europe
