Davies: Huge honour to step up for Bears

ALEX Davies has spoken of his great pride at being named Warwickshire vice-captain.

The 28-year-old will support club skipper Will Rhodes in the LV= Insurance County Championship and One-Day Cup, and stand in for T20 captain Moeen Ali while he is away at the Indian Premier League.

Davies conceded he wasn’t expecting the opportunity so soon, but as a natural leader and popular member of the dressing room, he is thrilled to take on the responsibility.

“It wasn’t on my radar and I was just trying to get to know the lads and offer what experience I do have,” said Davies, who arrived from Lancashire last winter. “I like to help where I can and my main motivation is to win games for the club. I’ve loved my time here so far and it’s been an amazing move for me.

“For them to give me this opportunity is a massive privilege and a huge honour at this great club.”

Davies (above) added on the T20 captaincy: “That’s exciting and Mo has been really good. He’s been chatting to me quite a lot, messaging what he wants to pass on to the team and the brand of cricket we want to play. We’re just looking to build on the things Carlos (Brathwaite) started with us last year.”

During their recent pre-season tour to South Africa, the Bears won all four T20s, before coming out on top of each of their three days’ play against Yorkshire with the red ball.

“The squad was brilliant anyway, but the additions we’ve made, both overseas and domestically, will give some headaches for the first game of the season,” said Davies. “There’s not been a weak link on tour.

“With our seam attack, the additions we’ve made mean there’s real competition for places, especially if we rotate a few guys. With the schedule the way it is, if some guys play three on the bounce, we have the luxury of giving one of them a rest to recharge and come again the next game. I think some of the best teams in the Championship have had that luxury and it’s looking like we might have that.”