• First professional cricketer to 'out' himself while still playing • 'This is the right time to be open about my sexuality'

Steven Davies, the 24-year-old Surrey and England wicketkeeper, has become the latest high-profile sportsman to announce he is gay. In today's Daily Telegraph Davies becomes the first serving professional cricketer to 'out' himself.

Davies, who began his career at Worcestershire, says he hopes his decision will encourage other young gay people to do the same. He said: 'This is the right time for me. I feel it is the right time to be out in the open about my sexuality. If more people do it, the more acceptable it will become.'

Davies follows the former Wales rugby union player Gareth Thomas, who also went public about his sexuality.