IT will be a strange feeling for Steve Davies when he wakes up this morning because, for the first time in more than a decade, he is no longer a Worcestershire player.

Born in Bromsgrove and residing and educated in Kidderminster, the wicketkeeper batsman is a true product of the conveyor belt at New Road.

At the tender of age 11, having just started at King Charles I High School, Davies walked through the gates of his home county for the first time as a player.

But, now as a 23-year-old, this amiable, quiet lad is getting ready to head off for the bright lights of London and begin his career as a Surrey player.

For many at New Road, his decision to leave is a hard one to take although they are not bitter.

Seeing one of their own leave their beloved County for pastures new is a sight more sorry than some of the performances seen on the pitch this season.

But his decision to leave has not been an easy one.

“I went through all the emotions you can imagine,” Davies admitted. “One minute I was going and the next I was staying.

“This has been such a difficult decision to make, harder than people will think — this is all I have known since I was a young boy. But I feel I have made the right decision.”

Just like at Worcestershire, Davies has gone through the ranks of the England teams, culminating in his senior international debut in March when he played in the Twenty20 match against West Indies.

Now he is swapping one former England wicketkeeper in Steve Rhodes for another.

But it is not just the pull of Alec Stewart which is taking Davies to the Brit Oval on a three-year deal.

There is also the chance to work with Graham Thorpe, one of the best left-handed England batsmen of his generation.

“They are a big county and have got everything that I need down there,” said the young left-hander.

“I’ll be working on my keeping with Alec Stewart and my batting with Graham Thorpe — two England legends.

“Hopefully, that will progress my game. It is a fresh start and I’m really looking forward to it.”

But, before Davies leaves for his life in the big smoke, there is one main obstacle he has to overcome.

“I haven’t found anywhere to live yet, so I need to get a move on,” Davies smiled.

“There are going to be a few obstacles, like traffic in the morning when getting to the club. They are things that I have to get used to.”

Davies, however, leaves New Road with some fond memories — even if this season has been one to forget.

The England wicketkeeper made his one-day Worcestershire debut in 2004 before a first-class debut the following season and a career-best 192 in 2006 against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

“Winning my first contract has to go as one of the highlights of my time here,” he said.

“The 192 and a few one-day hundreds as well are others and, as a team, we have won County Championship Division Two a couple of times and the Pro40 in 2007. So there have been a few highlights.

“There have been a few lows — losing to Ireland this year is probably the lowest. But they are things I don’t want to think about.”

Worcestershire have tried to make his departure as amicable as possible in the hope that one day Davies might return to his roots.

“Never say never,” Davies added. “You never know.”