Key was an England Test player 12 months ago

Kent's Rob Key hit a fine century on day two of the tour match against New Zealand at Canterbury.

And there were also runs for England Test wicket-keeper Geraint Jones as the county side reached 296-4 replying to the tourists' first innings of 409.

After Min Patel's burst of 5-56 had seen the Kiwis all out for 409 after being 297-2 overnight, Key indulged in some fluent batting after lunch.

Michael Carberry then hit 72 not out, and Jones added 43 not out.

Hitting 16 boundaries in the middle session, he treated Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori with little respect.

Vettori finally had his revenge when Key fell to a catch at the wicket off the slow left-armer, having scored his runs off just 130 balls.

Carberry then picked up the baton for Kent, featuring in the best partnership of the day with Geraint Jones.

I've long said that Key is one of the five best batsmen in England From Don Talon Have your say on TMS

By the close, their partnership was already worth 111.

The day began with Kent seamer Amjad Khan removing Scott Styris (32) and Craig McMillan (0) in quick succession before Patel added the all-important wicket of Nathan Astle for 48.

Chris Cairns then clobbered 54 off just 38 balls but the rest of the Black Caps' middle order and tail collapsed to Patel.

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.