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Davies reveals harsh words

Image: Davies: encouraging start

Wicketkeeper-batsman Steve Davies insists the England squad are more determined than ever to end their long run without a victory.

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Squad "hurting" insists wicketkeeper-batsman

Wicketkeeper-batsman Steve Davies insists the England squad are more determined than ever to end their long run without a victory. The tourists head into Friday's opening one-day international against the West Indies without a victory in their last 13 international matches of all descriptions. Their last 50-over success came against South Africa last August and Davies admits Sunday's Twenty20 mauling by the West Indies prompted some frank exchanges. "There have been some harsh words," stated the Worcestershire gloveman, who marked his international debut by top-scoring with 27 off 21 balls in Port of Spain. "We had quite a good meeting (Monday) for a couple of hours and thrashed things out. We've learnt from Sunday and we're going to take that into the 50 overs game.

Hurting

"The boys are hurting at the moment," added Davies, who is on his first senior international tour. "It's not nice losing quite a few games of cricket, but all I can say is that we will be doing something about that. "The nets have been going well and I think it's just a matter of time before things turn around. "We've learnt a few lessons from this Twenty20 game and we've got to take that into Friday's game." England stand-in coach Andy Flower claims there were some positives to take from his side's latest reverse, pointing out the encouraging start that Davies and Ravi Bopara produced in the Twenty20 encounter.
Comfortable
"One of the good things that came out of Sunday was that we had two young guys opening the batting for England," he declared. "There was the wicketkeeper Steve Davies, who did really well in his first game, and we had Bopara who is a classy looking player with a high ceiling. "It was nice to watch those two open the batting for England and taking advantage of those power play overs is fundamental." Davies acknowledged it was a role he enjoyed and is used to performing at county level and is hoping he might yet be given the chance to perform it again in the one-day series. "I've done it for Worcester for the last couple of years and I've had success at the top of the order so I'm comfortable doing it and it's all I know, really, so there's no extra pressure," he added. "I enjoy doing it. For me it's the best time to bat. I think my game is suited to the top of the order when I can use the pace of the bowlers to hit over the infield and try and pierce the gaps." England are still waiting on the fitness of captain Andrew Strauss ahead of Friday's match while they have other options to continue at the top of the order, including senior wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

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