Adam Rouse had confidence in Kent’s lower order to see them home in their Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final victory over Worcestershire.

Rouse came into the side after Sam Billings played for England on Saturday when Eoin Morgan suffered a back spasm prior to the match.

The wicket-keeper batsman made 70 in a century partnership with Heino Kuhn to help his side to a two-wicket win.

Rouse said: “Up there with the boys we always believed that with wickets in hand we would always have an opportunity. That’s why we’ve done so well in this competition so far. We back our boys to the very end.

“Heino and I in the middle period were happy to sit in and take on a bit of the pressure and take it as deep as possible.

“The nerves are there and you are just hoping the ball will go to the boundary. It would have been nice and well deserved for Heino to get us over the line but he’s been absolutely magnificent for us.

“We knew not to worry about the rate and just keep ticking over. Myself and Heino took a few more risks and got the rate down.

“We had full confidence of the guys coming down the order.”

Rouse was full of praise for Heino Kuhn in the impact he has made to the Kent squad since he joined earlier this year.

Rouse added: “He’s a real talent and deserves that man of the match.

“He’s very special. What he offers, not just with the bat, in the field throwing himself around and keeping the boys going and the encouragement in the changing room as well.

“Out there it makes my life a lot easier when I’m coming in he’s so relaxed and just absorbs that pressure.”