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 right-hander 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.
Adam Hose
“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 that 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 to the squad.”
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 home-grown 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.”
