by Glenn Pearson

Taking the new ball at Headingley will mean more than most for Kent’s new signing, Mark Davies.

The 31-year-old has had a torrid time with injuries but a pre-season trial with Kent, which included going away with the squad during their 10-day trip to Antigua, proved successful and the fast bowler is itching to prove he remains a force in first-class cricket.

Davies (pictured) has a fantastic record, claiming 253 victims at an impressive 22.63 apiece which earned him an England call-up for the tour to South Africa in 2009. But further ankle injuries have restricted him to just 15 games in the last three years.

However, Davies has undergone surgery on his troublesome ankle and he has been working with fitness trainer Steve Black, who has helped England rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson in the past. It is a schedule which means Davies believes his injury nightmare is firmly behind him.

He said: "It’s been hard work for the last couple of years. The injuries have taken their toll mentally more than anything else. It was hard watching the Durham boys doing well and sitting on the sidelines but hopefully that is all behind me now.

"I have bowled plenty in the last six weeks and I’ve worked hard to get back to fitness."

After 13 years at Durham, Davies admits it was not an easy decision to leave the club with a year left on his contract but believes the move to Kent was the right one at this stage of his career.

He said: "I thought I would play all my cricket at Durham but the time came where I needed a fresh start.

"I knew Rob Key from previous England Lions tours and as soon as I spoke to Jimmy (Adams), it was a no-brainer."

*Pick up a copy of your local KM paper to read our two-page Kent cricket season preview.