He was born in Cardiff, Wales, and first played for Glamorgan in 1964 as an all-rounder. In 1968, he came close to preventing the record-breaking 36 runs in one over, scored by Gary Sobers in a match at Swansea. In 1969, he helped Glamorgan to their county championship victory. Two years later, in a match against Warwickshire at Cardiff, the accident occurred which nearly resulted in Davis's death. The kiss of life was administered on the field by a doctor who happened to be in the crowd. As an indirect result of the incident, fielders and batsmen in first-class cricket began wearing protective headgear. After making a full recovery, Davis continued to play for Glamorgan until 1976.