BASINGSTOKE teenager Adam Rouse enjoyed a magic moment as he took a catch in the inaugural Test match held at the Rose Bowl between England and Sri Lanka.

The 18-year-old’s piece of glory came on Monday afternoon when he was fielding for the injured Chris Broad at backward point and snapped up the prized wicket of Sri Lankan centurion Kumar Sangakkara on the final day of the contest.

The visiting captain had made 119, his first Test century in England, when he edged an attempted drive from bowler James Anderson.

The ball flew to Rouse, who held on with both hands before celebrating with the rest of the England team.

The Basingstoke and North Hants cricketer, who is a wicketkeeper by trade and is currently third choice for Hampshire behind Michael Bates and Nic Pothas, was delighted to prove he has a safe pair of hands in Test conditions.

Rouse, pictured, was one of four of Hampshire second XI players, alongside Michael Bates, Hamza Riazuddin and Tim Ravenscroft, to be on duty at the game as England’s 12th man.

Rouse is yet to make his Hampshire debut, but he has played for England under-19s and now, of course, he has his first catch in Test cricket to his name.

Talking about his unforgettable Test match catch, Rouse said: “It was an unbelievable experience. I didn’t expect it to come to me because of the shot Sangakkara played, but fortunately I did what I was there to do.

“The ball came so quickly I did not have time to think. It was kind of surreal once I realised what had happened. Giving (England captain) Andrew Strauss the high fives was a brilliant moment.”

The teenager was on the field for 15 overs because of Broad’s heel injury.

He added: “It’s quite nerve-racking for a 12th man to come on but the England players have been good to us.

“Obviously, it is my dream to one day play for England and I have already played for the under-19s.”

While most of the spectators will remember the game for the bowling exploits of former Hampshire star Chris Tremlett and the batting of Kevin Pietersen, another ex-Rose Bowl player, Rouse will have a lasting memory of the game and his place in history as a catch-taker in the historic test.

In a rain-affected game, the wet weather returned two overs after Rouse’s catch and the game ended in a draw, which meant England had won the series 1-0.

While most of England’s Test team will enjoy a rest ahead of the summer’s second series against India, Rouse is already back in action for Hampshire’s second XI against Middlesex at Radlett.

Then, on Saturday, the teenager will be behind the stumps for Basingstoke and North Hants as they take on Fleet at May’s Bounty.