WORCESTERSHIRE’S Steve Davies is hoping to take a step closer to his England Test debut when he walks out with the Lions at New Road today (11am).

The wicketkeeper-batsman is in the England ‘A’ team that takes on Australia in their final warm-up match before the first Ashes Test in Cardiff next Wednesday.

The 23-year-old made his senior England debut in the West Indies in March playing in a Twenty20 match.

Now, as the huge Ashes summer nears, Davies is hoping that he can move closer to becoming England’s number one.

“We have got a few guys that are closer to getting in the England side than others — people like Ian Bell, Steve Harmison, Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan,” said the Bromsgrove-born star.

“But it is a good chance for the rest of us to take a step closer.

“If Vikram Solanki, Steve Moore and myself can take this opportunity who knows what can happen.”

Davies was left out of the Lions side that faced the West Indies earlier in the season with the selectors opting for Warwickshire’s Tim Ambrose.

The selectors then went for Essex’s James Foster for the World Twenty20 tournament, so to get this chance was pleasing for the Worcester-shire star.

“I was delighted to get picked,” Davies said. “This is a massive match.”

Davies believes that with Australia naming a strong side for the four-day clash at Worcestershire’s headquarters it should be a good game for the watching public.

“It will be a full dress rehearsal for the first Ashes Test,” Davies said. “They have named a strong team and so have we.”

Lions skipper Bell believes that this game against the Australians could be the start of bigger things to come for the Worcestershire young-ster.

“This is a great opportunity for him to go out and show what a good season he is having so far,” Bell said.

“I know from going to the West Indies with Steve that he is a fantastically talented cricketer.

“I’m sure the England selectors are keeping a close eye on him.”