Mark Davies admits he had almost given up hope of playing county cricket again after a run of just 15 games in three injury-ravaged years at Durham.

Following surgery on his ankle in October, the 31-year-old began contemplating what to do with life without cricket.

Davies (pictured) had agreed to give it one last go with Durham but the opportunity for a fresh start at Kent was too good to turn down and the right-arm seamer has grabbed it with both hands, making him the county’s stand-out signing of the winter.

He has led the Kent attack, proving reliable and economical in all forms of the game, but there was a time when Davies felt his career had come to an end.

He said: "I think after my last operation in October, when I came out of the hospital, I thought that was it. I spoke to Durham and we agreed to give it one last go but I don’t think they thought I would get back.

"I did not see this coming but I did work hard to get back and I can’t explain why but I feel like everything has just clicked again." Davies admits he was at a crossroads before making the move but having taken 23 wickets in all competitions – which included 4-23 in 24.4 overs against Essex – he has impressed and featured in every game so far.

He added: "You always want more but I am delighted with the way I have started. I am grateful to Kent for giving me that opportunity.

"Going into this season I didn’t know where I was or whether I would be playing a great deal of first-class cricket. But as soon as this chance came up with Kent and how I have started, this has to rank up there with all the things I have done."