Van Jaarsveld happy at home

Martin Van Jaarsveld enjoyed his return to Canterbury on Friday © Getty Images

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Martin van Jaarsveld believes home comforts and a highly enviable record against Warwickshire have helped to carry him to yet more success at the Bears’ expense.

The Kent number three closed a rain-shortened first day of the LV County Championship Division One match at Canterbury with an unbeaten 67 out of 195 for four on Friday.

His latest half-century against Warwickshire was yet more evidence he loves playing against them - although he also believes the opportunity to play at Kent’s HQ is a major help too.

It is approaching two months since the hosts played a championship fixture at the St Lawrence Ground - and Van Jaarsveld is delighted to be back.

“We haven’t played that much at home this year - just a few - and I think it’s really important to get runs when you play at your home ground,” said the 33-year-old South African.

“You can stay at home and you know exactly what the conditions will be like and you are accustomed to them.

“When you go away you might be on a dodgy wicket or a turner.”

After the first session had been lost to rain, it was inevitably not especially easy for Van Jaarsveld even on his home patch.

He needed 113 balls to reach his 50, which came up in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 75 with Neil Dexter.

Asked whether Kent therefore edged the first day, Van Jaarsveld was careful not to lay claim to the ascendancy just yet.

“It’s probably 50-50 really,” said the number three.

“It’s really tough to score - the ball doesn’t really come on to the bat, and it’s seaming around a little bit.

“You really have to graft - but if you’re prepared to do it then there’ll be some benefits at the end.”

There certainly were for Van Jaarsveld, with more power to add to a personal record against Warwickshire in Kent colours which began with twin hundreds on debut on this ground.

“Most guys on the circuit will say they do pretty well against certain teams,” he explained.

“I’ve done pretty well against Warwickshire, and the moment you go out to play against them again you go back into that ‘space’ - knowing you’ve been successful before.”