Van Jaarsveld keeps Griquas at bay

Martin van Jaarsveld helped stabilise a shaky start to the Northerns Titans' first innings, playing his part in two partnerships on a rain-affected first day of thei Supersport Series match against the Griqua Diamonds at SuperSport Park on Friday.

The Titans were on 160 for three wickets when bad light ended play an hour earlier than the scheduled close.

The start of play was delayed by an hour and 40 minutes following the morning's downpour, after which Griquas captain Martyn Gidley sent Northerns in to bat first.

Northerns were in trouble early on, losing their first wicket for only seven in the fourth over.

Opener Rudi Steyn was the man to go when dismissed for two runs after being caught at silly mid-on by Jason Brooker off the bowling of Zahir Abrahim.

The home team were on a miserly 57 when Jacques Rudolph was dismissed for 33, caught in the slips by Grant Elliott off Johann Louw.

It was left up to Van Jaarsveld to add some respectability to the innings.

His 50-run partnership with Rudolph for the second-wicket was followed by a 101-run stand with Neil McKenzie for the third wicket.

The Klerksdorp-born Van Jaarsveld guided Northerns to 109 for two at tea, and claimed his half-century shortly after the break.

But the revival ended when Van Jaarsveld was caught at first slip by Mickey Arthur for a 70 in 108 minutes which included 10 fours.

McKenzie was not out on 39 and Gerald Dros (2) was his partner when the black rain clouds drifted over the oval and forced a premature close with 48 overs not bowled.