BASINGSTOKE and North Hants’ Adam Rouse was given a surprise call-up for England under-19’s recent Test series against Sri Lanka.

The 18-year-old wicket-keeper from Farleigh Wallop was drafted into the side when Hampshire re-called Michael Bates after an injury to first choice ‘keeper Nic Pothas.

Rouse, a member of the England under-18 side, took the opportunity to impress with both gloves in a warm-up game at Loughbrough and from there was picked for the team.

Rouse said: “It was a great experience as everything is the same as the England team so that players can easily make the progression up the ranks and many do from under-19 to senior level.”

In the first game at Northamptonshire, Sri Lanka were victorious by six wickets, but the home side gained their revenge in the second match to square the series as they won by six wickets at Scarborough.

Rouse took two catches in the first match and four in the second for a job well done and said: “We were disappointed to lose the first game as they had a lot of luck. They edged the ball through the slips a lot and our chances went to hand. That made us more determined to win the second game, which we did.”

Rouse will be in action again for England today in the first of five one day internationals, the opener taking place at Fenners. The series concludes on August 13 at Canterbury, a game being shown on Sky Sports.

Looking to the future, Rouse is hopeful to be selected for England under-19s’ winter tour of Sri Lanka and is keen to secure a Hampshire contract next season.