The former England wicketkeeper Steven Davies has
decided to call it quits at the end of the current campaign. Over the course of
a 20-year career, Davies represented Worcestershire, Surrey, and Somerset. He
also received 13 limited-overs international caps for his nation.
After succeeding at Worcestershire, Davies earned
prominence for England by playing for the T20I team in the Caribbean in 2008–09
and making his ODI debut at the Champions Trophy later that same year. The next
year, he relocated to Surrey, where he served as Matt Prior’s backup during the
2010–2011 Ashes despite never making his Test debut.
Over the course of seven seasons in London, Davies
amassed more than 6000 first-class runs at a 42.65 average. He also accrued
2719 list A cricket runs and 1584 T20 runs.
He relocated to Somerset in 2017, and he was a member
of the squad that won the Bob Willis Trophy and Championship for three
consecutive seasons. The prolific James Rew has emerged as first-choice behind
the stumps, however, as the 37-year-old has only appeared twice in the
Championship and five times in the Metro Bank Cup this summer.
“I will always look back at my career with
Somerset fondly,” Davies said. “During my time here we managed to win
a couple of trophies and play some really good red-ball cricket. There was a
period around the covid years when we were playing a brand of dominant cricket
which will live long in my memory. Unfortunately for us, Essex were too, which
meant we couldn’t get our hands on that first Championship trophy.
“I feel that now is the right time for me to
retire. I always said to the club that as soon as we get the right person in
place to take over, I would step aside and let them get their exposure and
learning done while they are young. I think we can all agree that Somerset are
in safe hands with Rewy behind the stumps.
“I’d like to thank all the members and supporters
from Worcestershire, Surrey and Somerset who have always shown me great
support. I also need to thank all the directors of cricket, CEOs, coaches and
staff for all the opportunities they have given me. A special thank you has to
go to Rob Wood, who was my first cricket coach. He gave me the fundamentals and
skills needed to get me ready for a life of professional cricket. Finally, and
most importantly, I’d like to say the biggest thank you to my family: Lin,
Michael and my sister Gemma. They have always been by my side without question.
They are great people and I love them all very much. I hope I have done them
proud.”