AMJAD KHAN took three wickets in the space of 15 balls to heap pressure on the New Zealand tourists ahead of next week’s first Test.

The Danish strike bowler claimed three for nine to send back first-innings century-maker Michael Papps (2), Nathan Astle (0) and Scott Styris (12) within 10 overs of the Kiwi reply.

Kent had declared at lunch on 432 for nine having just lost wicketkeeper Geraint Jones for an excellent 101 from 107 balls.

With a slender lead of 23, Kent skipper David Fulton gave the new ball to Alamgir Sheriyar and Khan, and it was the latter that broke through from the Nackington Road End.

He trapped Papps leg before with an off cutter and, two balls later, trimmed Astle’s off stump with a leg cutter.

In Khan’s next over Styris failed to get forward to another nipping off-cutter and again went leg before wicket to make it 24 for three effectively one for three in overall terms of the match.