I can’t wait for World Cup but Unicorns ton was great, too

Ayear ago Jack Davies was not even signed to an academy but in four weeks flies to New Zealand as a key cog in England’s U19 World Cup plans.

It caps off a superb 12 months for the exciting wicketkeeper who had been shunned by two counties before Middlesex were finally convinced.

And he has taken his chance with both gloves, starring for Middlesex’s 2nd XI before returning to Minor Counties Berkshire and scoring a matchwinning ton in the Unicorns Championship final.

Naturally, England’s ears were pricked by talk of an exciting gloveman at Lord’s and Davies, 17, forced his way into the U19s reckoning for their tri-series against South Africa and Namibia.

Four wins from five is a good place to start before the World Cup, where he aims to become a star and complete a year which started without a county.

“With the World Cup, I want to make a name for myself,” he said. “I only joined Middlesex last year. I was trialling at places from the age of 13 but nothing ever stuck and I always ended up back at Berkshire.

“Luckily, Middlesex saw enough and liked me. A year ago, I’d only been in the Middlesex academy for a few weeks. Before that I was at Berkshire looking for somewhere to go.

“I remember thinking in the summer I’d be lucky just to get a couple of games but I started well and got a chance in the 2nds.

“It crossed my mind and certainly my dad’s that it just wouldn’t happen. But I was always confident enough in myself. If someone doesn’t rate me I have to take someone’s place elsewhere.

“It’s about being better than what they have currently got. I stuck to my guns and kept working hard. I think it was perseverance coming off.”

Davies’ reward was a 2nd XI debut under the wing of former ex-England batsman Nick Compton and he admits he found it surreal to line up against the opener.

But now all his focus is on New Zealand as England’s new squad look to build on an encouraging display in South Africa – where they lost the final to the hosts.

The squad spent three weeks in Potchefstroom and beat South Africa and Namibia twice each in the group stages to restore confidence after a 5-0 home defeat to India last year.

“Towards the end of the tour, obviously everyone was thinking about the World Cup and to be in the squad was a huge relief,” Davies added. “It is nice to be one of the fresh faces and I think the lads are rejuvenated in a way by playing different teams. The camp is very positive.”

Despite now being a fixture for club and country, the best moment of Davies’ year came for Berkshire when he hit that masterful 127 not out in the Unicorns final.

“I have been at Berkshire for so long and it felt amazing to go out with a bang and get my first century,” he said.

“Now, hopefully I can carry that on in New Zealand.”