KENT'S England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones has been stood down for the four-day friendly with New Zealand due to start at Canterbury on Thursday.

County captain David Fulton is under orders from England coach Duncan Fletcher to rest Jones ahead of the Test series starting on May 20.

England's request creates a dilemma for Jones whose form with bat and gloves has dipped since his Test debut in the Caribbean.

He is averaging just 10.5 with the bat and taken only three catches in his two championship starts since arriving back from his two winter tours.

"I haven't spent much time in the middle so far this season and playing in the game is probably what I need, but that wouldn't be too wise leading into the Test series," said Jones ahead of the friendly at the St Lawrence ground.

"I will be down in Canterbury watching their bowlers to see how they operate and use the time wisely in the nets. I imagine they will play their strongest side against us so I plan to watch closely and take it all in.

"I have been working hard in the nets on my batting and glovework because I am not particularly happy with either since I got back from the West Indies.

"I have been a bit tentative with the bat and have missed the crucial pre-season time because of the two winter tours."

Jones added: "People naturally think that you come back from an England tour in the form of your life. But that's not really the case at all because, the reality, is I played

three games on two tours in virtually five months.

"Also, the nets on tour are facilitated to those guys playing in the Tests. That's understandable and it makes touring tough.

As a result, I feel a little bit under cooked, under prepared, coming into the season, but I'm confident I can make good use of the time left before the first Test at Lord's."