Kent wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Rouse has announced he has made the decision to retire from professional sport.

The 28-year-old made his first-class debut as a Hampshire player in 2013, before moves to Gloucestershire and then Kent.

He was a part of Kent's squad which reached the 2018 Royal London One-Day Cup Final, scoring a vital knock of 70 in the semi-final at Worcestershire, as well as captaining Kent's 2nd XI to 2nd XI Trophy glory last year.

Rouse made 72 appearances for Kent's senior side in total across all formats, in which he scored 1,648 runs at 27.01, as well as taking 130 catches.

"I’ve decided to bring a close to my roller-coaster of a career," Rouse said.

"I have been reflecting with my friends and family, and I feel I’m at a stage of my life where I’m ready for a new challenge away from the sport.

"It's never an easy decision but I'm incredibly proud to have played for this fantastic team.

"I hope that I can leave this great club with everyone knowing I gave 110% every time I wore the Kent horse on my chest.

"I've had the honour of captaining Kent, being part of a promotion-winning season and contributing towards getting to a Lord’s final!"

Looking to the future, he added: "I’ve got plans in the pipeline that I’m really excited about and I think the best thing for my future is to dive right into that and, hopefully, set my next chapter up.

"I will be volunteering my services for the remainder of the season and have spoken to Paul (Downton, director of cricket) and the coaches about assisting where needed.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Kent, I’ve loved my time here and I will genuinely miss it.

"I’ve made friends and memories for life, and I’ll always look back with immense fondness.

"I wish the club all the very best for the future and I look forward to cheering the team on from a different seat."

Kent head coach Matt Walker said: "It’s a sad day for me to see Adam leaving the club.

"He has been such a wonderful member of our squad since he joined us five years ago and his contribution - both on and off the field - has been fantastic.

"He is an extremely popular lad amongst the squad and one of the most outstanding professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

"He’s the epitome of the type of person we want at Kent Cricket.

"He can be extremely proud of what he’s brought to the club and I know that he’ll succeed in whatever the next stage of his life happens to be.

"I want to thank him for all he has done here and I wish him and his wife, Pipa, all the very best for the future."

Rouse signed permanently for Kent in 2016 after a trial spell the previous year.

Team-mates Ollie Robinson and Heino Kuhn congratulated Rouse on his career on Twitter.

Kuhn said: "Probably one of the best."

Fellow wicketkeeper-batsman Robinson said: "A great man that has helped me a lot. Endless time for @Rousie20.

"Best of luck for your new adventure."

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