Steven Davies is one of a glut of England wicketkeeper batsmen vying for a spot at international level. In a short international limited-overs career he has felt the benefit and pain the merry-go-round selection policy that England wicketkeepers have been subjected to. He made a surprise international debut in a Twenty20 against West Indies in Trinidad in 2009 but was soon replaced by Craig Kieswetter as England went on to lift the World Twenty20 in 2010.

Davies then replaced Kieswetter in the 50-over side and travelled to Australia in 2010-11 as England's first-choice wicketkeeper in limited-overs cricket and back-up to Matt Prior in the Test squad. Just two games into the seven-match ODI that series that preceded the World Cup, Davies was unexpectedly dumped out of the team and replaced by Matt Prior who went on to the World Cup without much success.

Davies remains in the frame, however, having long been earmarked as a player with England potential. It was clear he had talent when he finished above Graeme Hick in the Worcestershire averages in his debut season in 2005, and he was selected for the National Academy and toured the West Indies with England A that winter. A former England Under-19 captain, Davies has impressed everyone who has come across him and, vitally, his glovework is an excellent standard.

An stylish left-handed batsman, he is particularly fluent through the offside but his tendency to hit the ball in the air has prevented him from nailing down an international position. In 2011 he became the first playing professional to come out as gay and was warmly supported by the wider sporting community for doing so. Sahil Dutta May 2011