RYAN Davies flew out to Desert Springs along with the rest of players involved with the Tom Maynard Academy from Birmingham on Thursday, looking forward to the next stage of his preparations for the 2017 season, writes Richard Walsh.

Last season the young ‘keeper, who joined Somerset from Kent, played in all but one of the County Championship matches and scored 380 runs at an average of 21.11, which included a top score of 86, took 27 catches and claimed six stumpings.

Before he set off, Davies said: “Hopefully the weather will be a bit better and we will be able to get outside on grass which is always nice to be able to do.

“I have normally been away at this time of the year so it has been a bit strange to be in England but its been nice to have some time at home.

"Now this is a very welcome opportunity to get away especially with the pre-season games starting in a month’s time - the start of the season is all coming up very quickly."

Davies will be joined by Somerset team-mate Lewis Gregory and several other players he has grown up playing against in county age group cricket, while one of the coaches he will be working with is Mark Wallace.

“I’m looking forward to spending some time with Mark as he has had a lot of experience in first class cricket and has only just retired from Glamorgan to go and work with the PCA," he said.

Davies is no longer the first-choice wicketkeeper at the club following the arrival of his namesake Steve, who has joined from Surrey and looks likely to take the gloves.

Regarding the signing, the 20-year-old said: “It is an interesting one for me but its always healthy to have competition for places in the squad.

"It is only ever going to make me perform better so we'll have to see how we go.

“I hope that I can put my case forward during the pre-season games to start in the first team, but we will have to see how that goes.

"If not I hope to prove myself in the second team, score lots of runs and keep well so the selectors have to take notice of me.

Davies added: “I am still only 20 so there is no rush and I have got time on my side so I just have to wait and see how it pans out."