STEVEN Davies says strong performances for Surrey will help him force his way back into the England side in time for next winter's tour of Australia.

The 23-year-old has impressed for the Lions since joining last winter from Worcestershire, scoring a hundred in his debut against Cambridge University and hitting two half centuries in the defeat against Derbyshire.

So far Davies has only played twice for England, but believes being at the Oval will help him in his ambition to don the gloves many more times for his country.

He said: "I want to play for England, that's probably the main reason why I moved to Surrey. I needed to play on better wickets. I also need better facilities to practice in. Worcester didn't really have that.

"It's always been the case that as wicketkeeper you're fighting for one spot. If you're lucky enough to get a chance you've got to take it these days because there are plenty of people snapping at your heels."

To become an England regular Davies will have to dislodge Matt Prior, the Sussex keeper who will line up against Surrey when the two teams go head to head in the Championship at Hove that began yesterday.

Davies admits that he had been impressed with Prior's recent performances and admits he will also have to convince selectors he is next in line above Somerset's South African born Craig Kieswetter.

"Matty Prior is keeping very well," added Davies. "There were question marks about his keeping, but he's worked hard on it and he's improved. I know that all the keepers are working hard. If you're in the ECB set up, you get to work with Bruce French.

"I've worked with him for a couple of years now and he's taken my keeping to another level, just through hard work really. Matty's done well in Test cricket, so for me to get the nod I've got to be scoring a lot of runs this year.

"Kiesy had a good winter. He got his chance in that one-dayer and got a hundred. Unfortunately, that's how cricket goes."

Davies believes that consistent performances for Surrey will put him in the frame for an international call-up, insisting that once the Lions came calling there was only one side he wanted to play for.

"There were a few counties who were keen to speak to me, but as soon as I spoke to Chris Adams I knew this was the place I wanted to come to. I came down and he gave me his spiel on where the club's going and where it has been. As soon as I heard him speak I thought: 'I want to be a part of this.'

"Surrey's a massive club and it was at rock bottom last year. For it to turn around there were changes that needed to be made."