Davies makes Surrey switch

Steven Davies, right, has been an aggressive top-order presence for Worcestershire in one-day cricket

Surrey have completed the signing of England one-day wicketkeeper Steven Davies from Worcestershire on a three-year deal.

Davies, 23, will switch teams at the end of the season after six years with his native county. He informed Worcestershire earlier this month that he would not be renewing his contract at New Road.

He made his international debut in a Twenty20 match against West Indies in Port of Spain over the winter, and had also been a key part of England A and England Lions squads in recent years. Davies is also a former England Under-19 captain.

Davies said: “Surrey are the biggest club in the country and I was very flattered when they made a move to sign me.

“With a developing squad that is already very strong, I am hugely excited about playing my part in the next era of Surrey cricket.”

Davies, who opened the batting in one-day and Twenty20 cricket for the Royals, has impressed in all formats.

After averaging more than Graeme Hick in his debut season of 2005, he topped 1,000 runs in 2006 – a tally that included his first-class best of 192, scored against Glamorgan aged 19.

Davies is the first signing made by Surrey professional cricket manager Chris Adams, who said: “We are looking to build a side that will be capable of winning trophies for many years to come and Steven is exactly the kind of player that will help us do that.

“He has proven his talent on the domestic scene and I hope that by moving to Surrey he will be able to establish himself at the highest possible level.”

Gus Mackay, managing director of Surrey, concluded: “The signing of Steven Davies underlines the direction we are moving the club in.

"He is an exciting, young, international player and will play a massive role in bringing long term success to Surrey.”