Kent captain gives Black Caps ton of trouble

Kent Robert Key bolstered his hopes of an England recall on Monday by scoring his third hundred against New Zealand as the Black Caps struggled on the opening day of their initial first-class tour match at Canterbury.

Key, who four years ago scored a hundred in each innings of Kent’s nine-wicket win over New Zealand, ended the first day of this three-day game with an unbeaten 178 against his name in a total of 324 for one.

Runs at the other end too, with James Tredwell 123 not out.

New Zealand, whose captain and star spinner Daniel Vettori is one of five members of their squad currently taking part in an Indian domestic Twenty20 tournament, begin a three-Test series against England at Lord’s on May 15.

The 28-year-old Key, who played the last of his 15 Tests three years ago, completed his century in 170 balls with 16 fours.

“This sort of kick-started my summer a few years ago, I managed to play a Test match and do pretty well, so it is sort of a good omen really,” said Key, who in 2004 followed up with a double hundred against the West Indies at Lord’s.