Van Jaarsveld dominates Northants

Martin van Jaarsveld put his former county to the sword at Canterbury

Martin van Jaarsveld put former club Northamptonshire to the sword by hitting his 17th championship century in five seasons for Kent but this evenly contested Division Two game at Canterbury continues to meander toward a probable draw.

Van Jaarsveld and team-mate Darren Stevens made the most of an excellent St Lawrence batting pitch and some friendly visiting bowling to add 126 in 36 overs for Kent’s fourth wicket.

It helped their cause that Northamptonshire’s new ball bowler Johannes Van der Wath was off the field having been taken to the nearby Kent and Canterbury Hospital for scans to an injured knee. The South African failed to bowl a single ball all day.

In his absence the inexperienced Northamptonshire attack served up a succession of half-volleys and long-hops allowing van Jaarsveld to plunder five sixes and eight fours in his 153-ball stay, while Stevens clattered 11 fours, most of them on the drive.

Indeed Northamptonshire struggled for containment throughout, they only managed 13 maidens in the entire 108-over innings but to their credit they plugged away and eventually reaped their rewards by dismissing Kent for 417.

Stevens appeared unhappy to be given out to a catch at the wicket off former team-mate Andrew Hall then, soon after plundering his fifth and final six, van Jaarsveld nicked to slip where Hall took a fine reflex catch.

Kent’s tail failed to wag as the hosts, who had hoped for a three-figure lead, lost their last four wickets for 24 with Hall claiming 3-89 and David Lucas 2-68, as the pick of a poor bunch.

Facing a deficit of 62 when they batted again come 3pm on the third day, Northamptonshire soon lost Ben Howgego for five following a run out mix-up.

The youngster fancied a risky second to Rob Key at deep midwicket, but opening partner Stephen Peters sent him back and Key’s throw won the race.

Northamptonshire duly wiped out the arrears through Peters and Rob White with a steady if unspectacular second wicket partnership of 134 in 40 overs which ended when White (70) edged to slip just before stumps.

It left Peters (62 not out) and nightwatchman Lucas to see the visitors through to the close without further alarm.