Papps makes the most of his early let-offs

New Zealanders 297 for 2 (Papps 126, Richardson 92) v Kent
Scorecard

Michael Papps did his chances of playing in next week's opening Test at Lord's no harm by scoring an impressive 126 against Kent at Canterbury. He put on an opening stand of 244 with Mark Richardson, who scored 92, as the New Zealanders closed a dominating day on 297 for 2.

Papps had struggled earlier on in the tour, but he made a timely return to form, hitting 18 boundaries in his innings and mammoth stand with Richardson. He is expected to make way if Stephen Fleming, the captain, is fit to return to the team, but Papps made the most of two dropped slipped catches early on to post a big score. He survived a straightforward chance to Rob Ferley at second slip on 23, and then David Fulton put down a more difficult slice at first slip off Alamgir Sheriyar with Papps on 34.

He and Richardson batted together for almost five hours until David Stiff, who bowled 20 no balls in the day, trapped Papps lbw (244 for 1), and then bowled Richardson shortly after (253 for 2).

Those two wickets were welcome relief for Kent, but Nathan Astle and Scott Styris then cashed in on the platform set by Papps and Richardson. Astle, who edged his second delivery from Stiff and was dropped by Matthew Walker at second slip, hit a bright 32 not out, including seven fours, and Styris ended unbeaten on 14.