ENGLAND wicketkeeper Geraint Jones gave hismelf a pre-Test boost by taking a century of the touring New Zealanders in Canterbury today.

The Aussie-raised gloveman, who will be named in ther side to face New Zealand at Lord's next week, scored 101 to give Kent a slender lead at 432 for nine.

His century came from exactly 100 balls and included 11 fours and five sixes - one of which took him past 50 and the last to 99.

His 190-minute stay ended with a skied pull shot against Chris Martin that gave the tall Kiwi paceman his fourth wicket of the innings.

Kent's 10th wicket partners David Stiff and Alamgir Sheriyar saw the side through to lunch with a 23-run lead.