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Key helps Kent to 324-1 against New Zealand

28/04/2008

Robert Key helped fire Kent to 324-1 on the opening day of their warm-up game against New Zealand in Canterbury.

The English batsman hit an unbeaten 178 for his county, extending his fine form against the Black Caps and potentially adding to his case for an international recall.

Alongside the experienced Key, who was captaining Kent, the relative newcomer James Tredwell also enjoyed giving the visitors a torrid day, managing 123 not out, including as part of an impressive pairing which made a stand of 299.

In comparison, however, opener Joe Denley was relatively easily dismissed for 22.

New Zealand's Tim Southee showed why he is so eagerly talked about with a classic pacey delivery, which the England Lions batsman could only send in the direction of James Marshall, who nevertheless still had some work to do and made a fine catch at backward point.

For the hosts, who were led by stand-in captain Jamie How, seam bowler Iain O'Brien was suffering against the obdurate Kent pairing the most, managing 0-73 from 21 overs and thereby denting his chances of a recall to the national side ahead of the First Test at Lord's next month.

The tourists will go in to the second day still missing five of their most infuential players, including captain Daniel Vettori, Brendam McCullum, Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor and Kyle Mills.