Rouse: We’re not trying to be a team we’re not

Wicketkeeper Adam Rouse believes Kent could not be in a better place ahead of the new season. Zimbabwean-born Rouse feels that a winter of squad comings and goings has created real competition for places. The 25-year-old, who is contracted until the end of the season, said: “I think it’s part and parcel of sport, it’s quite common that guys leave every year and other people join us. It’s how we deal with that, how we go about it. “We’ve made some brilliant signings this winter and it’s also given a lot of the youngsters an opportunity. “We saw in Antigua (in the West Indies Regional Super50 Cup) everyone stepped up to the plate and that’s the most exciting thing about us moving into this season. “People want to stake a claim and I don’t think you can be in a better place than that. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking about game plans, breaking things down and figuring out what kind of team we are – what our strengths are and actually just playing to them, not trying to be a team we’re not. “I think that’s been pretty effective and that (warm-up) game against Surrey showed exactly where we are.” Former England under-19 player Rouse played 10 of Kent’s 14 championship games last season, scoring nearly 500 runs at 35 with a top score of 95 not out against Derbyshire. Such was his contribution that he retained his place behind the stumps even after Sam Billings became available. He added: “Before last season started I set my stall out to challenge for a spot when Sam came back (from international duty) and make sure I wasn’t an easy drop and I was happy playing those games when Sam did come back. “That for me is something I want to do again. I feel I’m adding value behind the stumps, being a bit busy and (producing) a few gritty knocks.”