Alex Davies says preparations for his side’s Vitality Blast Quarter Final are well underway as he aims to plot a path to Bears’ first Finals Day in seven years.
The Bears skipper – who won the Blast in 2015 with a Player of the Match performance for Lancashire – is currently away with Southern Brave in The Hundred.
But he said homework on last eight opponents Gloucestershire is advancing behind the scenes ahead of their showdown at Edgbaston on Friday 6 September.
More than 10,000 tickets have already been sold for the eagerly anticipated clash as fans rally to back the Bears.
Tickets are still available at reduced prices if you buy in advance.
“We’ve done a lot of research on Gloucester and their players,” said Davies, who’s guided the Bears to 20 wins from 25 games as skipper.
“We know what we’ll be up against and the one thing I can promise is that we will be well prepared for the challenge.
“Winning the Blast in 2015 was one of the proudest moments of my career. It was a special occasion. But we’ve got a job to do against Gloucestershire. We’ll have the backing of our, fans at our home ground, and together we can make it a night to remember.”
As a 20-year-old, Davies clubbed 47 in just 26 balls in that 2015 final for Lancashire to provide the foundations for victory against Northamptonshire.
He recalls being pushed up the order to open the batting on the night – and how the tears of a teammate helped him focus on the job in hand.
Davies recalled: “I didn’t score in the quarter or semi. I felt I was letting people down. So I felt some pressure going into that final. It was the most nervous I’d been.
“But shortly before the game I saw Ashwell Prince, who I was opening the batting with, had tears in his eyes. He knew it was going to be his last game for Lancs and possibly the last of his professional career. It switched me on, I thought ‘this isn’t about you, other people are really invested’.
“That moment, and speaking to Ashwell, really focused my mind. I decided I was going to run at every bowler and charge them! I got a couple away in the first over, I think off Rory Kleinveldt, and more followed. It gave us momentum that we carried through.
“In the run up to the final I hadn’t opened the batting much. I was batting middle order. But Ashley Giles said I want you to open the batting, I think you’ve got the game to do it with good strong shots in the Powerplay to beat the field. Plus I was having success with my ramps which are also valuable in the Powerplay.
“It was one of the proudest days of my career, alongside receiving both my county caps, and I’d love nothing more to get there again with the Bears.
“I’ve really enjoyed captaining the side. It’s a great time in my career, to take this role on. I’ve played a fair bit of cricket now so hopefully that experience is benefiting younger guys in the side and helping them play with freedom and express themselves.”
Over 13,500 tickets sold for T20 quarter-final
For a third year in a row, Bears have secured a home Vitality Blast quarter-final against Gloucestershire on Friday 6 September. And tickets are going fast!
Over 13,500 tickets have already been sold. Adults tickets are available for only £20, if purchased in advance, while U16s are £5.
