Warwickshire CCC unofficial fans forum
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Signed by Warwickshire from Lancs on a 3 year contract. Looks a good signing.

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I agree that he's a great acquisition, though I though that Michael Burgess had the wicket keeper/batsman slot sorted for the next decade. Not sure where this leaves him, unless one or the other plays just as a batsman.

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My thoughts exactly, Burgess has seemed to be really growing into his role and has made some fantastic catches and stumping a this year.

Perhaps he is coming as a batsmen for the red ball games and wicket keeper in the T20?

A good signing but a bit strange as well.

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https://edgbaston.com/news/wicket-keeper-batter-davies-signs-for-warwickshire/?fbclid=IwAR1UEfF6VqsJJ44QFh2xZ7w8kbrPZQWIxB1sZK8JdeT5nl9eD2BJVrd8xLQ the full release from the club.

Definately not good news for Kelley or Benjamin.

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Looks a good player but like everyone else, I'm mystified what prompted this signing given that Burgess has signed a new contract and Benjamin has made such a good initial impression. Can only assume that two of them will focus on batting and give up the gloves? Feel for young Kelley, clearly he is not featuring in any long-term plans.

From having one wicket keeper on the books a few weeks ago we now seem to have an embarrassment of riches!!

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Kelley is still only 18 so still has chance to establish himself, but clearly there are no short-medium term plans to use him.

If Davies and Burgess are to play in the same XI, I really wouldn't know who would be the one to miss out with the gloves.

Do any other counties use different keepers for white ball and red ball?

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Don't think Davies, who I rate, comes here unless he's had assurances that he is keeping in all formats.

Feel for Burgess, don't think he's quite good enough to start as a specialist batsman and he's keeping has really improved. Like really, really improved.

Its an odd one.

We have quite a big squad all of a sudden. Would think they'll be a few moving on.

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He hardly ever keeps wicket any more. Too many finger injuries. Interesting and exciting signing though.

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Yes by all accounts Davies fingers are ruined.
Rumours are this is about him wanting to put himself back in the limelight again, remind a few people especially at the ECB that he still exists.
I don’t think anyone is trying to get into that England side as a keeper currently. Too many like Bairstow, Foakes, Banton, Bracey, already ahead in the queue.

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Update to the previous. Davies is joining because Lancashire are signing Phil Salt from Sussex.

Davies thinks he’s now behind Salt, Allen, and Jennings regarding batting at the top of the order. And can’t force out Vilas or Salt as a keeper because of his fingers.

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Seems like a good signing and will certainly improve our T20 side

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I've just broken the news to my Lancastrian friend. His reaction was:
"He's a cocky little bu***r."
I think that, if Davies had been staying, he would have said something like:
"He plays with great confidence."

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BristolBear wrote:

Update to the previous. Davies is joining because Lancashire are signing Phil Salt from Sussex.

Davies thinks he’s now behind Salt, Allen, and Jennings regarding batting at the top of the order. And can’t force out Vilas or Salt as a keeper because of his fingers.

Interesting. Lots of well regarded batsmen have moved the past fortnight or so Northeast, Gubbins, Davies, Salt...

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Davies was keeping at Taunton today and managed two neat stumpings.

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It appears Vilas is giving up the gloves. They’ve had Lavelle keep too this year.
In my mind it’s sort of proof his move isn’t really about keeping. Because he could stay and keep if he wanted. It appears he wants to be the main man with the bat, and won’t be with Salt around.
Though his batting has gone off a cliff recently, a pair in the last match, only got 3 in this one. He’ll fit right in with our top order.

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I don't think he necessarily walks straight into our 4day side.

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Andy wrote:

I don't think he necessarily walks straight into our 4day side.

Nearly spat my tea out!

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Cold?

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Davies definitely comes straight in, but I'd argue Burgess has out performed him this year, so I don't think he comes in as a keeper.
Burgess is about 20 or 40 runs down on him on the season. But he's also faced better teams, considering Durham and Essex are the 2 teams at the top of Div 2, and both Derby and Worcestershire have good attacks, but can't bat. Whereas Davies has had the joy of batting at Sussex and Canterbury small grounds, usually flatter pitches, and against a weak Sussex, Kent and Glamorgan attacks.
Plus Burgess has done it keeping wicket, and been arguably the best pure gloveman in the County Championship this year.
Davies has been able to just play as a pure batsman, which means he should be scoring plenty more.

I'd say in this team against Yorkshire now, he comes in for Benjamin, who just doesn't seem suited to 4 day cricket unless it is very flat,. Then you'd say Yates back in for Woakes who'll be with England, a top batting overseas for probably Lamb, Briggs for Bethell, and then it's a toss up for the seam bowlers when Stone, OHD and Brookes are all back fit.
But with a rested, rebooted Sibley, Rhodes finding form with the bat, fewer bowler injuries, and an overseas that pulls their weight, that's a serious team, with strength in depth.

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Andy wrote:

Cold?

Who on earth keeps Davies out of the team?