Jack Davey (cricketer)

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Jack Davey (born 4 September 1944) is a former English cricketer. He was a left-handed batsman and a left-arm fast-medium bowler who opened the bowling for Gloucestershire from 1966 to 1978, usually alongside Mike Procter.

Early life and career
- Born in Tavistock, Devon, Davey started in Minor Counties cricket for Devon in 1964 and 1965.
- He made his first-class debut for Gloucestershire in 1966 after a couple of years with the county’s Second XI.
- He established himself in the team in 1967 and had a successful season with his bowling.

Playing style and highlights
- Davey stood tall and was known as an opening bowler who could swing the ball and kept pressure at the start of the innings.
- His best first-class bowling figure was 6/95 against Nottinghamshire in 1967.
- He formed a productive partnership with Procter in the 1970s, helping Gloucestershire in both long format and one-day cricket.
- As a batsman, he usually bats low in the order (often at number 11) and was known for his defensive style. He scored 918 first-class runs, with one half-century and a top score of 53 not out. He once helped Gloucestershire chase a target by blocking and supporting a higher-scoring partner.

Career statistics
- First-class: 175 matches, 411 wickets at an average of 28.51, with nine five-wicket hauls; 918 runs at 7.77, top score 53*.
- List A: 150 matches, 173 wickets at 26.26, best 4/11; 135 runs at 5.00, top score 16.

Notable moments
- In 1973, Davey helped Gloucestershire win the Gillette Cup, even though he played part of the tournament with knee pain from injections and later surgery to relieve damaged knees.
- His 1975 season was his most successful, with 64 wickets at 26.26 in first-class cricket.

Later career and life
- After leaving Gloucestershire, he played for Devon again in 1981 and appeared in a few List A matches in 1983 and 1985.
- He later ran the Court Farm pub in Abbotskerswell, Devon.
- Davey appeared in the 1997 Gloucestershire documentary Grace & Favour and in a 2009 short film called Dow Jones.
- He remained close to his late friend and former teammate David Shepherd, describing him as “like a brother.”