Alex Davies: Warwickshire sign Lancashire wicketkeeper on three-year deal

Alex Davies became Lancashire's youngest-ever one-day player when he made his debut in August 2011

Wicketkeeper Alex Davies is to join Warwickshire from next season after deciding to leave Lancashire.

The 26-year-old, who has spent his whole career with Lancashire, will join the Bears on a three-year contract.

Having made his senior Red Rose debut aged 16, in 2011, he became the first Lancashire wicketkeeper to pass 1,000 first-class runs in a season.

"I've loved my time at Old Trafford and am now looking forward to an exciting next chapter," said Davies.

"We are sad to see Alex leave Lancashire," said Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott, "but we respect his decision to move on."

The right-hander, from Darwen, will be playing alongside next season's Bears team-mates Danny Briggs and Jake Lintott for Southern Brave when The Hundred starts later this week.

He told the Lancashire website that it had been "an honour" to play for the county but "the time is now right to look for a new challenge."

Playing largely as an opening batsman only, Davies is part of a Lancashire side who have reached the next big stage in both this season's T20 Blast and the County Championship.

Since the first three Championship games of the season, Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas has kept wicket, allowing Davies to concentrate on his batting.

He has hit 579 Championship runs this season at an average of 48.25, and 260 in 13 innings in the Blast.