Teenage wicketkeeper Ryan Davies vowed to bounce back from the disappointment of failing to score a run on his First Class debut, saying he will be better for the experience.

The 18-year-old academy prospect was drafted into the side for the Derbyshire game on Sunday with Sam Billings in England one-day action for a fortnight, only to depart without scoring after facing four balls in each innings.

The England under-19 player – a highly regarded batsman who made unbeaten half-centuries in two of his last three appearances for Kent 2nds – said: “It’s fair to say you haven’t seen the best of me this week. If I’m only offering pairs, I don’t think I probably should be playing.”

Davies, who lives and plays at Sandwich, added: “I think, with what I’ve done at 2nd team level, I do deserve to be out there – although, of course, it helped with Sam being called away.

“There was almost no pressure on me. I knew if I scored a few runs it gives the coaches a good view of what I can offer.

“This whole period is about showcasing what I’m about and my skills, because Jimmy Adams and Matt Walker won’t have seen me often with the gloves and the bat.”

The youngster remained philosophical, despite being bowled by Mark Footitt and Warren White, saying: “On debut, two good balls show the level I’ve come into.

“Maybe on a different day, with different luck, I inside edge it for four. It didn’t help coming out for a hat-trick ball on a pair. He didn’t get the hat-trick but three balls later he got what he wanted.”

He added: “When I play my best I’m just relaxed, I don’t think about anything. I’m probably the most chilled out 18-year-old going out for their debut. Nothing fazes me.”

He hailed the experience gained from his debut, adding: “It was still a good experience to go out there and realise how big the step up is from the second team. It’s a different ball game.

“That’s been a good eye-opener, hopefully I can move on from there.
“Playing alongside someone like Rob Key, even picking his brains about things like angles when keeping, batting – ‘in this situation, what would you do?’ – is brilliant.

“To play against the First Class bowlers like Footitt – one of the quickest in the country – is a good experience for someone as young as I am. I’m seeing it as a win-win, playing with ex-England pros and facing some First Class bowling.”

Davies had some company in the ‘duck club’ as his dad Jamie departed without scoring after 16 balls for Sandwich 4ths in his side’s defeat against Mersham on Saturday.