England confidence sky high for Ashes, says Steven Davies

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The wicket-keeper is in the 16-man squad setting off for Australia on Friday aiming to become the first England team to win the urn Down Under since 1987.

The contrasting fortunes of the two great rivals have strengthened the tourists' belief. Australia will go into the First Test at the Gabba on

25 November having lost three Tests in a row — one to Pakistan and two to India — for the first time in 22 years.

But after being crowned world Twenty20 champions in May, England have enjoyed Test and one‑day success against Bangladesh and Pakistan and beaten Australia in the shorter form of the game.

Davies said: "Confidence is sky high. The Aussies have just lost in India, so their confidence probably isn't great at the moment. But we're all so confident at the moment and we really believe we should bring home the Ashes."

The 24-year-old was in Australia as part of the England Performance Programme four years ago so is thrilled to be making the same journey as part of the full squad.

"I can't wait," he said. "I've been there before, which was brilliant, but it was just five weeks in Perth, practising and watching the Tests. Now to be involved, I'm chuffed — really excited. It is the tour you want to be on when you are growing up; you want to play in an Ashes series."

Davies, who will be the back-up wicket-keeper to Matt Prior, spent his career at Worcestershire before joining Surrey last winter.

"One of the main reasons I moved was because I wanted to play for England and I needed to score a lot more runs that I was doing at Worcester," Davies told ecb.co.uk. "I wanted to play on a better wicket, which is why I chose Surrey."

Asked whether he would be in the Ashes squad if he had stayed at New Road, Davies said: "I don't know — that's a tough question. I decided to leave to help my career and I think it has had an impact."