Steve Davies may not be a part of England’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 squad but he had plenty of support which was proved when he went where no cricketer has gone before – coming out in the open to reveal his sexuality and reveal that he is gay.
It recently crossed minds that perhaps when something as big as the World Cup is around, how can it be that other peripheral issues do not come to the surface? It took another big tournament, the Ashes for such a thing to have happened as is now being revealed with regard to the England wicket keeper.

Cricketers are not known to come out of the closet. So, for Davies to do what he did was not only remarkable but also, a precedent and one should see a more confident embrace of one’s sexuality as cricket and life collide.

Not a lot can be hidden in the dressing room where cricketers spend much of the playing season. And Davies knew that the only way he could ensure his own peace and comfort was if he was able to live with his own reality and ensure that there were no secrets going into something of a long duration of a tour where everyone was clear.

Davies apparently chose to confide in the England team coach, Andy Flower, and the England team captain, Andrew Strauss, which was perhaps the right way to do it because it helped the team to cope with the fact that the coach and captain themselves had no issues on the subject.

If Davies had apprehension before, he is more confident these days knowing that the team has been more than supportive of his lifestyle and are willing to accept him for who he is without compunctions.

While that is indeed heartwarming, it will be interesting how his opponents react because the subject of sexuality is still a delicate matter, which is why cricketers remain closeted, and no doubt there would be one or two who will make it their business to use it to get under the skin of the opposition. Is cricket ready for this kind of banter which may now step up to the next level?