Worcestershire batter Adam Hose has revealed his determination to continue to improve and develop his red ball game.
Hose has featured in several franchise white ball tournaments in recent years including the Caribbean Premier League, Super Smash, The Big Bash League, The International T10 League and The Hundred.
But he remains keen and hungry to make his mark in the first-class game and has been given his opportunity since moving to Visit Worcestershire New Road, playing in 25 of a possible 28 County Championship matches.
The 32-year-old played a key role in two superb away wins last summer, featuring in a century stand with Kashif Ali in the win over Durham and then making another half century in the second innings of the triumph versus Essex.
Hose showed a willingness and determination to scrap away and spend time in the middle and several other 30s and 40s might not always grab head-lines but were crucial in helping to launch recoveries from challenging starts to an innings.
He said: “Red ball cricket is a big challenge of mine, and is something I really want to try and adapt and continue to build. It is a format I really enjoy.
“My first year here, I played some good innings and managed to counter-attack a few times whereas in 2024, I don’t know if it was the standard increase jumping up to Division One where the bowlers are a lot more consistent with a lot more depth, I just felt that kind of attacking mode, especially in English conditions, was really difficult.
“I felt like I found some really good rhythm and flow towards the second half of the year where I guess I wasn’t necessarily thinking about taking the game on. I was just trying to bat and react to each ball.
“That rhythm and tempo kind of found me some good time in the middle. I think I’ve reflected on last season, both the first half and the second half, and that’s the big key in the two.”
Hose added: “I want to play all formats. I’ve got winter stuff I always want to try and get better and adapt with, because you do have white ball and franchise cricket.
“But, saying that, I want to commit just as much practice and physical and mental preparation to the red ball because 1) I know how rewarding it is from a format from a team and personal point of view but 2) also I think it gives you good longevity from the position I’m in, in my career where I want to keep playing as long as I can in all formats, and the only way I’m going to do that is by committing to all three.
“It’s not easy and the biggest challenge of the modern day batter is that you have all the shining lights of franchise cricket and travelling the world but at the same time you have to take care of what looks after that and, for me, that is batting for long periods of time against good quality bowling and that’s in red ball cricket.”
Hose, who signed a new three year contract at Visit Worcestershire New Road earlier in the winter, added: “I’ve never really been one to look at stats and numbers but I might look at my numbers and think ‘I want them to be a bit higher’ or ‘I want to improve this and that’
“But if I break it down, for the games we did win I felt like I stuck my hand up and was there for the team and scored crucial runs when it was necessary.
“For me, that is more rewarding than any personal numbers. That’s what I’ll keep building on. That will always be my goals and personal goals will always revolve around winning games for the team, in white ball cricket as well.
“I contributed at really important times for the team. Statistically with the few games we had at New Road, it wasn’t the easiest place to bat especially if you batted first.
“I pride myself on digging in for the team when required. It might not be the flashiest but if I can dig in and soak up some balls and scrap around for a bit, I feel that only puts us in a good position and I think that is one of our biggest assets as a side.”
