A FOUR wicket burst in 27 balls by Amjad Khan and a century from England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones improved Kent’s chances of a fourth win against New Zealand.

The county go into Sunday’s fourth and final day on 24 without loss, needing a further 165 from 90 overs to extend their proud unbeaten record against the Kiwis.

Kent started the day on 296 for four and still trailing by 113 on first innings, but a run-a-ball ton from Jones coupled with an equally bright 44 from Min Patel helped the hosts through to 432 for nine.

Captain David Fulton declare at lunch with a slender first innings lead of 23, and watched from slip as Danish-born strike bowler Khan ripped the heart out of the Kiwi top order.

He removed first innings century maker Michael Papps for two, sent back the talented Nathan Astle for a second-ball duck and also dislodged the limpet-like Mark Richardson for 15.

Khan completed his quartet by trapping Scott Styris (12) leg before to finish with figures of four for 50.

Alamgir Sheriyar’s big-hearted performance merited a two-wicket return, while Min Patel, after bagging five for 56 in the first inning, completed an excellent three days by taking the wicket of fellow spinner Daniel Vettori (40).

Kiwi top-scorer Chris Cairns hit six fours and a brace of sixes in his powerful 73, but left-arm spinner Rob Ferley snaffled his wicket to a Jones stumping as the tourists succumbed for a paltry 211.

In fading light, Kent’s openers Rob Key and David Fulton played out the remaining nine overs of the day, edging the county ever closer to a fourth win in history over New Zealand, whilst extending their unbeaten run against the black caps to 10 matches, dating back to 1927.