Davies living the dream

Steve Davies mixed it up during his one-day hundred against Gloucestershire

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Worcestershire wicketkeeper Steve Davies believes his call-up to the England Performance Programme puts him one step closer to the national team.

The 22-year-old has featured for the England Lions and has been part of the academy set-up at the National Performance Centre on several occasions.

After another successful season with bat and gloves, particularly in one-day cricket, his name is once again in the frame.

“I am over the moon,” he told ecb.co.uk. “It is a stepping stone for England honours, which is my number one aim.

“My main goal was to become part of the England set-up and I have achieved that.”

An innings of 113 made in front of the Sky Sports cameras against Gloucestershire in the NatWest Pro40 showed a more mature Davies.

His knock was punctuated with flamboyant strokes performed with consummate ease and timing, showing there is a wise head on his young shoulders.

Stylish cover-drives were mixed with some more unorthodox shots as he pierced the field numerous times in a highly-effective opening partnership with Worcestershire captain Vikram Solanki.

It was his second such century in the space of three weeks in August and proved his burgeoning talent to anyone who may have doubted it.

“I ended the season well, but I want more consistency in my batting, really,” Davies said modestly.

“My one-day hundreds against Lancashire and Gloucestershire were good. I have been happy with my batting in one-day cricket, but it could be improved in the championship.

“My 'keeping has been more consistent this year though.”

Consistency could have been a watch word during Worcestershire’s 2008 campaign as they earned promotion in the LV County Championship, despite falling away towards the end of the season.

After initial success in the NatWest Pro40, Worcestershire still found themselves in the play-off position as they aimed to secure their Division One status for next year, before blowing Glamorgan away to ensure their safety.

Davies was happy with his wicketkeeping in all facets of the game during the 2008 campaign

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They finished mid-table in their conference of the Friends Provident Trophy, and second from bottom in the Mid-West-Wales league of the Twenty20 Cup, as they struggled to perform on a consistent basis.

But Davies confirmed that they were happy with what they achieved overall.

“We have been pretty successful,” Davies said. “It has gone well.

“We got promoted in the championship and are playing in the first division in both competitions next year.”

Worcestershire were relegated from the championship at the end of 2007, but bounced back at their first opportunity after some shrewd dealings during the off-season.

“We have a strong squad which needs to be playing in the first division,” Davies explained. “We made some good signings over the winter and have some very good bowlers.

“There is more depth in the first division and we are ready for that now.”

The bowlers to whom Davies refers include former England pacemen Kabir Ali and Simon Jones, who shared 101 wickets between them in the championship.

The swing duo were one of the main reasons Worcestershire won six of their 16 matches - more than any other county in their division.

“Kabir Ali was impressive and Simon Jones too, before he got injured,” Davies agreed. “They gave us the edge.”

Worcestershire will, however, be entering next season without their most experienced batsman, with Graeme Hick announcing his retirement.

Davies thinks it will be tough without him.

“They are big boots to fill,” he said. “I don’t know who is going to be batting at number five next season, but I don’t envy them.”