Richardson looks on as Papps celebrates reaching his century

New Zealand openers Mark Richardson and Michael Papps made the most of fine batting conditions against Kent in the final warm-up before the first Test.

At stumps, the Kiwis were 297-2 with Papps having struck 126 - his maiden first-class ton away from New Zealand.

By then he had put on 244 with Richardson, who contributed 92 before falling soon after his partner.

David Stiff sent down 20 no-balls but at least took the only two wickets to fall in the course of the day.

Kent were allowed to field England wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, after the player made a special request to the England and Wales Cricket Board to appear in the fixture.

But he was unable to get into the action with Richardson and Papps dominating the day, and almost five hours had been played before Papps was finally dislodged.

"It was a slow start for me on this tour, and a little bit frustrating, so it was good to get some rhythm and a score," said Papps.

They bowled pretty well at times and I guess I rode my luck a little bit and cashed in later on Michael Papps

"Coming from the end of our summer when the wickets were flat to early season conditions here has been a hard adjustment, but hopefully I am on the way to doing that now."

Nathan Astle (32) and Scott Styris (14) were batting when the day drew to a close.

New Zealand's regular captain Stephen Fleming was rested for the second game in a row because he is suffering from an abdominal strain. Chris Cairns deputises for him.

But Fleming is said by team management to be fit enough to play at Lord's in the match beginning on 20 May.

Kent: D P Fulton (capt), R W T Key, E T Smith, M J Walker, M A Carberry, G O Jones, MM Patel, R Ferley, A Khan, D Stiff, A Sheriyar.