WHAT a week for Adam Rouse.

From being handed an unexpected one-month deal at Gloucestershire to making his debut at Lord’s, the wicketkeeper capped it off by starring on his first appearance at Bristol for the club in Friday evening’s exciting three-wicket NatWest T20 Blast win over Kent, for whom he was playing second team cricket against Gloucestershire a week earlier.

Rouse could surely not have asked for a better way to celebrate turning 22 on Monday after a whirlwind few days.

A former England under-19 international, Rouse has had trials at Surrey and Kent this season since being released by Hampshire but when the chance to play first team cricket at Gloucestershire came along due to injuries to Gareth Roderick and Cameron Herring he was determined to grab it with both hands.

He certainly did that against Kent, smashing a 16-ball 35 not out, including five fours and one six, to help his new side secure a victory that looked out of reach when he came in at number seven.

Rouse said: “I’m just trying to enjoy playing. It’s a great opportunity for me having had a not so great winter after being released.

“If anything comes from it then great, but if not I’ve had a fantastic time and it’s an experience.

“It’s shop window stuff. They’ve got two keepers on their staff and when those guys come back there will be a decision depending on how I get on and if not hopefully other counties can see what I can do.

“Kent were interested a couple of weeks ago and this is the beauty of it, playing against other counties.”

Rouse, who made just one first class appearance for Hampshire as well as playing in a one-day tour match against Bangladesh A, admitted he felt nervous when making his T20 debut against Middlesex, in which he scored just four before the match was abandoned at the halfway stage.

However, he remained calm when faced with the scenario of facing the last ball from Australia international Doug Bollinger against Kent with one run needed to win, swatting the ball away for four.

He said: “It’s an awesome feeling. Winning’s always a good feeling but on your (home) debut, when you’re on trial it’s nice to come in and do something for the team.

“You want to get over the line and someone who’s been around for a long time tends to nail his stuff but I just tried to stay as still as possible.”