Rouse ready to earn a spot with the bat

Adam Rouse is aiming to cement a regular spot with the bat this summer.

The 25-year-old won the Supporters’ Club best uncapped player prize last summer and is ready to deputise for Sam Billings with the gloves or play alongside him as a batsman.

The former England Under-19 player said: “I still back myself to score enough runs to earn a batting spot and when Sam Billings is away then I’ll be ready to keep wicket.

“We’ve been batting for longer periods in the nets which will hopefully prepare us to do the same in the middle.

“It helps your stamina mentally and physically to train for longer and keep your concentration which is a big part of batting.

“I’ve usually batted at seven but going forward I’ve got to look at batting higher if I’m selected as a batter although we’ve had a pretty settled top six, particularly in one-day cricket.

“I have showed in Antigua what I can do and I believe I can make myself into more of a finisher.

“Look at batsmen like Jos Buttler who look at the situation and can rotate the strike but also take a game away by hitting it out of the park and that’s something I aspire to do.”

The former Hampshire and Gloucestershire gloveman is enjoying the experience of his second successive trip to Antigua.

Kent’s number 12 said: “The start we had last season showed the value of playing competitive cricket in pre-season.

“The bowlers had overs in their legs and the batsmen had some runs gave us confidence going into the new season.

“There’s only so much work you can do indoors so the FGS Plant Tour has been great preparation for us.”