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Davies set for debut

LCCC Academy wicketkeeper Alex Davies is in line to make his Lancashire one-day debut against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay on Sunday

After playing matches at Southport, Hove and Blackpool in the last month Lancashire's cricketers will be no strangers to the sea air when they visit Colwyn Bay for this Clydesdale Bank 40 match.
 
The Old Trafford's side's chances of making the semi-finals may hang by a thread thinner than that from which the Damoclean sword was suspended - among other threats, Lancashire will be eliminated if Durham gain a point from either of their last two games - but with the Friends Life t20 Finals Day beckoning next Saturday, there is no reason for Steven Croft's men to take the game lightly.
 
Lancashire have been tough to beat lately. Since losing to Nottinghamshire at Southport in July, the Red Rose side has come off second best in only one of their last six games and making that record one in seven will be a clear priority for Croft's team at Penrhyn Avenue.
 
"The game against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay will be a tough," said Tom Smith, speaking in the aftermath of Saturday's win against Worcestershire at Blackpool.
 
"Maybe we'll have half an eye on the t20 Finals Day but we'll want to put in a performance. We might try a few things for next Saturday, but first of all we'll want to win tomorrow's game against Glamorgan."
 
One player who is certain to regard the game against Glamorgan as a special occasion is the 17-year-old Lancashire Academy wicketkeeper Alex Davies.
 
The 17 year-old, who plays for Darwen in the Northern League, gets his chance because Gareth Cross is suffering from a slight calf strain and is being rested. Having played in every game this season and with some crucial matches coming up in the next month, it could be argued that Cross was due a break in any case. 

A reminder that Glamorgan have brought the start time forward to 1pm, and the Lancashire squad for the game is:
Steven Croft (capt), Karl Brown, Jordan Clark, Alex Davies (wkt), Kyle Hogg, Paul Horton, Simon Kerrigan, Sajid Mahmood, Stephen Moore, Oliver Newby, Stephen Parry, Luke Procter, Tom Smith.

Paul Edwards
Photo (c) PA Images