In 2011, having been a part of England’s profitable Ashes tour to Australia, he turned the primary skilled cricketer to come back out as homosexual. “I am comfy with who I’m – and glad to say who I’m in public,” he informed the Telegraph.
Davies got here by means of at Worcestershire, successful England recognition as a part of the T20I aspect within the Caribbean in 2008-09 and an ODI debut later within the 12 months on the Champions Trophy. He moved to Surrey the next season, and was Matt Prior’s understudy for the 2010-11 Ashes, though a Check debut by no means got here.
Throughout seven seasons in London, Davies scored greater than 6000 first-class runs at a mean of 42.65, as nicely 2719 in Record A cricket and 1584 in T20, serving to the membership to carry the CB40 trophy in 2011 and the Division Two title in 2015.
He moved to Somerset in 2017, and was a part of the staff that completed runners-up within the Championship and Bob Willis Trophy three seasons operating. This summer season, nevertheless, the 37-year-old has solely performed twice within the Championship and 5 occasions within the Metro Financial institution Cup, with the prolific James Rew rising as first-choice behind the stumps.
“I’ll at all times look again at my profession with Somerset fondly,” Davies stated. “Throughout my time right here we managed to win a few trophies and play some actually good red-ball cricket. There was a interval across the covid years after we had been enjoying a model of dominant cricket which can stay lengthy in my reminiscence. Sadly for us, Essex had been too, which meant we could not get our fingers on that first Championship trophy.
“I really feel that now could be the correct time for me to retire. I at all times stated to the membership that as quickly as we get the correct individual in place to take over, I’d step apart and allow them to get their publicity and studying achieved whereas they’re younger. I feel we are able to all agree that Somerset are in protected fingers with Rewy behind the stumps.
“I might wish to thank all of the members and supporters from Worcestershire, Surrey and Somerset who’ve at all times proven me nice assist. I additionally have to thank all the administrators of cricket, CEOs, coaches and employees for all of the alternatives they’ve given me. A particular thanks has to go to Rob Wooden, who was my first cricket coach. He gave me the basics and expertise wanted to get me prepared for a lifetime of skilled cricket. Lastly, and most significantly, I might wish to say the most important thanks to my household: Lin, Michael and my sister Gemma. They’ve at all times been by my aspect with out query. They’re nice individuals and I really like all of them very a lot. I hope I’ve achieved them proud.”
Somerset CCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, added: “Steve has had a tremendous profession inside each the worldwide and home arenas, and through his time with us he has been the consummate skilled. His performances throughout the codecs and his contributions to nurturing the expansion of different gamers have been immense. The calm assuredness and expertise that he delivered to the dressing room was a key component of our success over the previous few years and he can be missed by all those that have performed and labored alongside him.
“On behalf of everybody related to the membership; the gamers, the employees and everybody throughout the recreation who has had the privilege to play or work alongside Steve, we thank him for every little thing. He strikes on to this new and thrilling chapter in his life with all our greatest needs, and we stay up for warmly welcoming him again to the Cooper Associates County Floor sooner or later.”
