Alex Davies called up for England Under-15s
Davies has learned his cricket at Birch Hall |
Darwen's Alex Davies has been selected for England Under-15s after some impressive performances in this week's Bunbury Festival at Charterhouse School.
The annual festival, which last year was jointly staged by Netherfield CC and Sedbergh School, brings together the best 56 cricketers aged 15 and under from across the country, pitting four regional squads against one another.
The brainchild of David English, the festival has become a proving ground for potential professional cricketers. From the previous 22 festivals, 58 boys have gone on to play for England in Test cricket, the last two being Ravi Bopara and Alastair Cook, while 188 have gone into first-class cricket.
"Alex has been involved at Darwen CC since an early age and followed his father Chris, the current Second XI stalwart, into the game," said Darwen captain Andrew Cook.
"He scored a fifty for the fourth eleven at the age of nine and soon established himself in the second eleven as a wicket-keeper/ batsman.
"This season he has made his maiden second eleven hundred and already made two fifties for the first team and everyone who has seen him play has been impressed with his talent and approach.
"Alex made a hundred at the festival on Tuesday and last night (Thursday) at the special dinner heard that he had been selected to play for England. He will play at Lord's for England Under15s against MCC Schools on 16 September.
"Alex hasn't been 'keeping, just batting and is the biggest runs-scorer in his age group this season. But we were surprised to hear that he had won the award for the biggest six, with which he reached his hundred, as he hasn't hit many sixes for Darwen.
"Next week Alex will spend the weekend at Loughborough in a special training camp which will be a great experience for him.
"Everyone at Darwen CC is delighted for Alex and he will not be short of supporters at Lord's."
Upon returning from the festival 14-year-old Davies has been ordered to rest this weekend and so will miss Darwen's games against Blackpool and Carnforth this weekend.
"That's a shame but it's a small price to pay," added Cook. "You have to look at the bigger picture and Alex has an exciting career in the game ahead of him."
Darwen CC captain Andrew Cook |
