KEY POINTS:
The Black Caps have had a tough start to their England tour with Kent racking up a big score on the first day of their three-day match at Canterbury.
Kent won the toss and at stumps on day one had reached 324 for one.
Opener Joe Denly went cheaply, through the bowling of Tim Southee for 12 with the score on 25.
However, that was followed by a second wicket partnership of 299 between former test batsman Robert Key (178 not out) and James Tredwell (123 not out).
Key's hundred came in 235 minutes off 170 balls while Tredwell took 255 minutes and 198 balls.
Overall, Key has belted 27 fours in his 178 while Tredwell found the boundary 20 times.
Chris Martin is the only bowler to go at less than three runs an over, finishing the day with none for 53 off 19 overs.
Martin said Key led the way, and it is familiar territory for him given he has scored hundreds against them on that ground in the past.
Southee's wicket cost him 49 runs off 15 overs.
The Black Caps will also play four day matches against Essex and England A before the first test at Lord's, starting May 15.
SCOREBOARD
Kent
First innings
J Denly c Marshall b Southee 12
R Key not out 178
J Tredwell not out 123
Extras (5b, 5lb, 1w) 11
Total (for 1 wkt, 90 overs) 324
Fall: 25
Bowling: C Martin 19-7-53-0 (1w), T Southee 15-3-49-1, I O'Brien 21-5-73-0, G Elliott 10-2-42-0, J Patel 21-2-81-0, A Redmond 4-1-16-0.
- NEWSTALK ZB
