Adam aims to remain top dog in Blast with the Bears
BIRMINGHAM Bears’ batting ace Adam Hose is determined to nail down his place at the top of the order in this summer’s Vitality Blast.
The freescoring righthander was promoted to open the batting in the last two group matches last year and responded with one of the best T20 knocks ever played for the Bears – a blistering 119 from 64 balls against Northants Steelbacks at Edgbaston.
The signing of West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite means the Bears’ middle order has serious firepower in this year’s Blast. Hose is aiming to provide similar fireworks at the top.
“I very much hope to stay up top. I opened in the last two games last season and loved it. As a batsman in T20 you just want to face as many balls as possible,’’ he said.
“The Steelbacks game was a strange one because it was so disappointing the way it ended for us but, from a personal point of view, I was very happy with the way I played. You do take confidence from a knock like that.
“It showed you don’t necessarily have to get off to a flying start. You can take a look, if necessary, as it was that day because we lost early wickets.
“I am not going to change the way I play, I’ll always look to put pressure on the bowlers straight away, but you can take a bit of time and then build momentum later on.
“I’m really looking forward to the Blast this year. I think we’ve got a very strong squad and Carlos coming in gives us real power at five or six. He had a great BBL and is the sort of destructive player that can win you games out of nowhere.
He’s a great addition.”
I am not going to change the way I play, I’ll always look to put pressure on the bowlers straight away. Adam Hose
Brathwaite’s Caribbean flair is sure to bring plenty of joy to the Bears fans, though they will also be delighted if the homegrown youngsters continue to play in a big role.
Hose’s scintillating century against the Steelbacks would probably not have happened without superb support from
19-year-old Dan Mousley, who scored 58 not out (44 balls) in their stand of 171 in 16.3 overs.
“Dan showed what a brilliant prospect he is,” he said. “He played a couple of really good innings last year in pressure situations – he made a very good 40 against Worcestershire as well.
“What really struck me when I was batting with him was his composure. To have that sort of temperament at such a young age is very rare.”