Rouse: We can still reach semis
Wednesday 14th February 2018
Kent wicketkeeper Adam Rouse says the Spitfires can still reach the West Indies Super50 semi-finals despite a narrow defeat against Jamaica on the FGS Plant Tour.
The 25-year-old hit a breezy career-best 75 in an unbroken 135-run stand with Daniel Bell-Drummond before Andre Russell’s century edged the Scorpions home.
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After four wins in a week preceding today’s reverse, Rouse remains upbeat that Kent can finish in the top two and reach the semi-finals.
The former England Under-19 international said: “We are still right up there, and hopefully if we continue to play how we are playing, we can qualify.
“Today was a good game, unfortunately we ended up on the wrong side of it, but from ball one right until the end we played good cricket.
“It wasn’t the easiest of pitches, certainly up front, so Credit has to go to Deebs for his 100 – he fought really hard today through the tough times and the rewards came at the end for him.”
With so many games in such a short space of time, all the matches are played on used wickets but Rouse says it’s the same for both sides and something the team has adapted to.
“With the slow, turning used wickets it’s very difficult to get into any real rhythm so we may have to sit in and play out a few maidens or so.
“I think at times we’ve been guilty of searching for runs in those times and probably taking higher risks to do so.
“What we have done so well this year is recognize that, adapt and not panic as we know we can score at a good rate at the back end of the innings with wickets in hand.
“So far this tour we’ve played very good cricket. Our fielding has been very sharp, and there have been some huge positives in every facet so far, which is great for us leading into the 2018 season.
“From a personal note, I’ve had a couple of good partnerships at tough times which is pleasing, however today was nice to go on and get a list A career-best and to put on a 100 partnership with Deebs.”