A morning deluge of rain coupled with late afternoon showers put paid to much progress on the second day of Kent's three-day friendly with New Zealand in Canterbury.

With Kent in the driving seat after amassing 324 for one on the opening day courtesy of centuries from Rob Key and James Tredwell, the hosts declared on their overnight total once conditions were passed fit for play.

Kent made a breakthrough in the 11th over of the Kiwi innings when Arron Redmond (14), flashed outside off stump at Ryan McLaren to edge through to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and make it 35 for one.

But then Jamie How (53) and James Marshall (20) dug in thereafter until rain returned to force an early close with the tourists on 92-1.

The final day of the game is schedueld to start at 11am on Wednesday.