Lavine leads North West revival against Northerns

An unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 67 between Craig Light and Mark Lavine lifted North West out of a spot of trouble on the rain-curtailed first day of this match, after the home side, put into bat, had collapsed from 40 without loss to 76 for four.

Lavine, with a typically belligerent 48 off 52 balls, including five fours and two sixes, and Light, with a far more sedate 19, took the home side to 143 for four after heavy rain had ensured that play would only start at 3pm and just 48 overs of a scheduled 104 would be possible.

Riaan Niewoudt, who made 35 on his first class debut, and Gary Outram put together a solid first-wicket stand of 40, but that was where the wickets began to tumble, with the much-vaunted Northerns pace trio of Steve Elworthy, Greg Smith and David Townsend all chipping in. Smith was the most successful, ending the day with two for 19 from 12 overs.

North West currently lie fourth in their section of the competition and will qualify for the Super Eight phase if they prevent Griquas, struggling against Boland on day one, from overtaking them. Lavine's efforts mean they are within seven runs of a first batting bonus point, with 52 overs left to pile up points. Should he stay in for any length of time on Saturday, a good number should come their way.