Blackburn ace Alex makes mark in South Africa (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn ace Alex makes mark in South Africa

4:07pm Tuesday 22nd March 2011 in Sport By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

ALEX Davies has returned from his first tour of duty with the England Under 17s Cricket squad and has made an impression both on and off the pitch.

The Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School pupil was a part of the England touring party that played nine games on a three week tour of South Africa.

Despite picking up an injury, which restricting Davies, who also plays senior cricket for Darwen in the Northern Premier Cricket League, to just four appearances, he certainly made an impact – most notably a fine knock of 143 against the Eastern Province U19s team.

However, it was away from the action that Davies and his team-mates also had an effect as they went to work in some of the area’s poorest schools and orphanages.

“It was a real eye-opener and, to a certain extent, very hard to take in,” said the 16-year-old.

“It was our chance to give something back to the communities in South Africa and it was very rewarding exercise.”

The entire England squad visited two local schools while in South Africa where they helped organise cricket coaching and a multi sports day.

But it was a visit to a local orphanage that hit home the hardest.

“Eventhough we were only there for a day, it was very hard not to get emotionally tied,” added Davies.

“It was very upsetting to see so many children at the orphanage and when we were at the schools, they kept on asking us if we were coming back.”

Davies and his team-mates also had to play ‘Secret Millionaire’ for the day and decide who to give the £3,900 they had raised to give away.

“That was really hard but we decided to give the majority to the orphanage to landscape a garden and buy a trampoline.”

Davies, an opening batsman and wicketkeeper, only played four games due to a thigh injury.

However, he starred with knocks of 45, 47, 20 and a century while in two games behind the wicket, took two catches and two stumpings in one match and two stumpings in the other.

“It was disappointing not to play so many games but I was happy with my performances.”

Davies, who also plays for Darwen CC, is hoping to be included in the England U18s squad of an triangular tournament in Ireland in July and also face the touring South Africa side for England U19s in August.