Brisbane replaces Perth on the tour, and is hosting for the first time because of the success of a recent exhibition tournament, at which Taylor played and won. The hugely popular Taylor is unlikely to return for the world series, as he has retired.
But World No.3 Cross will be joined here by world No.2 Peter Wright, the current German Masters champion.
Five-time World Series champion Gary Anderson, who won the UK Open last month, will look to add to his haul but will have to hold off the challenge from Australia and New Zealand's best too.
World No.8 Simon Whitlock will head that challenge, while Auckland Masters champion Kyle Anderson will also want to have a good series and back up from winning his first TV tournament last year.
Rising star Corey Cadby, who lost to Anderson in the recent UK Open final, will also want to go one better than his runner-up finish to countryman Anderson in Auckland last year.
One more player from the PDC Tour is yet to be announced and those eight players will take on qualifiers from Australia and New Zealand at all three events in the Southern Hemisphere.
Mark Algie, Director Events and Custom Media from News Corp Australia, the promoter of the World Series in Oceania, said it was great to see the world's best players in Australia and New Zealand and he was expecting sell-out crowds for the whole series.
"We are very excited about the PDC's decision to schedule an event in Brisbane," Algie said.
"It is the first time the World Series has come to the city and it is fantastic news for Queensland.
"Melbourne and Auckland are hugely popular venues for both players and supporters, and we have no doubt they will both attract big crowds."
The World Series of Darts will be at the Trusts Arena in Auckland from August 3-5 before heading to Melbourne and Hisense Arena from August 10-12.
The Brisbane event will run from August 17-19.
Tickets go on sale for all three events on Friday from Ticketek.
