Somerset opener Tim Rouse off to hot start down under with Northern Districts
AN ENGLISH recruit has made a scorching start to the Grade Cricket season, the likes of which haven’t been seen since a pair of Poms smashed Australia’s bowling attack around Adelaide Oval in 2010.
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NOT since Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen smashed Australia’s bowling attack around Adelaide Oval in 2010 has an Englishman landed in SA and immediately dominated at the crease like Tim Rouse.
The new Northern Districts opener has been almost unstoppable en route to back-to-back centuries to begin the Grade Cricket season with an average of 232.
He was the catalyst in the Jets securing two straight wins to begin the campaign, with a 124-run knock against West Torrens and then 108 not out versus Prospect.
On Saturday, Rouse continued his hot start with 79 off 81, taking his average to 155.5, as the Jets went down to Adelaide at Glandore Oval.
They are now just one victory short of reaching last season’s two-day tally of three wins in what has been a sparkling revitalisation under new player/coach Mark Cosgrove.
Rouse, who hails from County side Somerset, says he is relishing the chance to play here.
“I’ve never done a season abroad and I’ve heard from a lot of other English lads that this is a good place to play,” Rouse, 22, says.
“Adelaide is a great city and the club and the guys have been really welcoming, so I’m enjoying it.”
The Englishman’s right-arm off-spin has also been productive for the Jets, snaring 3/24 off 10 overs against the Pirates in round two.
“Somerset is keeping tabs on me, tracking my progress,” Rouse says.
“Bowling is one thing they have really emphasised to add another string to my bow and I’m glad to see some improvement with it.”
On Saturday, Rouse continued his hot start with 79 off 81 as the Jets went down to Adelaide at Glandore Oval.
Rouse harbours ambitions to play for his country and says emulating England captain Joe Root, who spent a five-month stint at Prospect in 2010/11, would be a dream.
The opener will return to Somerset in the English summer, where he has been playing cricket since the age of 11.
Northern player/coach Cosgrove helped to lure Rouse to the Jets and says he has brought exactly what they wanted to the club.
“We had a chat late in the (County) season and he was keen to come over and try his hand here,” says Cosgrove, who has an extensive overseas track record of his own.
“We couldn’t be happier.
“Heading overseas as a young player you get to grow up a fair bit away from home.
“I think it will be a great experience for him.”