THE Davies name can take you a long way at Darwen Cricket Club. But when wicketkeeper/batsman Alex Davies landed in Adelaide this winter, the days he would throw down balls to his dad as a toddler seemed a distant memory.

Davies, 20, had been going to Darwen since he was four years old. First he watched his father Chris play. And then he made the senior ranks at the age of 12.

At 17 he made his Lancashire debut. And as a player of some potential this winter he was chosen by the Red Rose to spend four months Down Under at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy.

Alex Davies ended up loving life in South Australia. He believes he has returned to Old Trafford a better player and a better man.

He said: "The ECB contacted Lancashire and said there was an opportunity over there (Australia). They send a young professional from each county, and I got the nod from here.

“We lived together and played together and trained every day. It was really good for me. I was not too keen at first but when I got there it was awesome. I got better as a player and better as a person. I was more independent."

Davies played Grade cricket for Northern Districts and impressed, averaging 44. But he was determined to do well, admitting he did not want to leave the Aussies with the impression that he was no good.

Although he became friendly with one of the academy coaches — Mark Sorell, who played in the Ribblesdale League — the fact he had to work on his own game helped.

Alex Davies said: "I had to work a lot of things out for myself. The coaches I am used to working with were over here so when things went wrong I was thinking about my own game — I had to work it out for myself, which was quite powerful for me. The most powerful learning I have had and where I have taken strides in my game is when I have worked things out myself. It cements it in your brain a little bit more.

“Grade cricket was a lot better than I expected. I was expecting it to be like club cricket but it was intense and competitive.”

On his return to Old Trafford, Alex Davies was handed a boost with new head coach and cricket director Ashley Giles' decision not to sign another wicketkeeper. With Jos Buttler set to spend most of the summer with England, Alex Davies will take the gloves for the Red Rose in all three formats of the game.

He said: "It fills me with confidence that the club and Ashley are backing me with that role. I am really happy for Jos. He is playing really well. I was excited when we signed him because I would learn off him. He is young but he is massively experienced. He has got an old head on young shoulders.

“To watch him in the nets and see the things he has done for us in matches has been unbelievable. I hope that in a few years I can aspire to play with him for England.”

Buttler has made a name for himself as a destructive lower-order batsman who can finish the job in one-day cricket or change the course of a game in little more than an hour in the longer format.

Alex Davies sees similarities between the pair in terms of their attacking approach. But having been given the honour of opening the batting for Lancashire for six matches in the County Championship last season, Alex Davies sees his immediate future at the top of the order.

He said: "That might be the route I am going down but I would like to class myself as a versatile player so I will keep my options open.

“I loved opening last season. I have always dreamed of playing for Lancashire. A few times last year I had to pinch myself walking out to open the batting with Paul Horton at Old Trafford. I was disappointed that I did not do a little bit better and that I was dropped. But those six games are highlights of my career.

“I enjoy the responsibility of opening. I enjoy putting the pads on and knowing it is in my hands.

“Sometimes I am a nervous watcher — I prefer being out there. I enjoyed the responsibility and the chance to go out there and make a difference and win games for Lancashire.”

He opened in nine County Championship innings for Lancashire, averaging 31, but he is determined to improve on that this season.

And he still keeps in touch with his former team-mates at Birch Hall.

He said: "I am down there quite often and my little brother still plays there. One day I will be back there playing.

"I have grown up around Darwen Cricket Club. I have got them to thank for where I am now."