Davies gets set for a big season

CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK LANCASHIRE’S Alex Davies is fit again and can’t wait for the new season to start.

The Lancashire wicketkeeper has been back in the gym since September and will return to cricket practice in the new year as he bids to put an injury-hit last 12 months behind him.

Davies, 22, underwent knee surgery in October 26, and then had to go through a second operation on the same knee in May after suffering a freak injury while fielding.

It ruled him out for the rest of the season.

But now, the big-hitting Davies is ready to get back into the nets after Christmas after months of hard work and rehab.

“I am not too far off being fully fit now,” he said. “I have been in the gym since September and I could probably start cricket training before Christmas, but we will wait now until the new year.

“But I will definitely be fit for the start of the season.”

Davies admits it has been a frustrating 12 months, but revealed he has been helped along by team-mate Tom Smith , who missed all-but one game of the 2015 campaign with a serious back injury but returned to the side last season.

“Both my injuries were similar,” he said. “I dug my knee into the turf while fielding and some cartilage broke away from inside my right knee.

“It was just one of those freak things really which put me out for most of last season.

“It was frustrating. I have very high ambitions, I want to play for England. So last year, instead of trying to achieve the goals I set myself, I had to sit and watch from the sidelines.

“And it was hard watching the lads struggle at times and not be able to help.

“Tom has been a big help throughout the whole thing because he has been there and done it.”