Redmond goes on rampage

Aaron Redmond's innings of 121 gave New Zealand hope ahead of the third Test

Aaron Redmond did all he could to get New Zealand back on track after their second-innings capitulation in the second Test - and is confident the tourists will continue to bounce back.

The Kiwis, who looked set for victory over England at Old Trafford but instead went 1-0 down with one to play, finished day one of their tour match against Northamptonshire on 329 for eight.

Redmond’s second hundred of the tour and sixth in first-class cricket overall had much to do with that.

After sharing century stands with his fellow opener Peter Fulton (57) and captain Brendon McCullum (72), Redmond (121) could afford a degree of satisfaction.

“The boys were disappointed (in Manchester),” he acknowledged. “But we walk away and have to realise what we did wrong and take the positives and negatives out of it.

“We’re a gutsy team. It’s nice to have a game like this in between to break it up a little bit - and I know we’ll bounce back strong.”

Redmond is determined to make sure he takes his tour match form into Tests - where only 51 of his 500-plus runs so far this summer have been scored.

“With this innings now, the biggest thing is I just have to keep building the momentum,” said the 29-year-old.

As for England, Redmond knows New Zealand are up against world-class opponents.

“They’re great bowlers, who’ve played a lot of Test cricket,” he added.

“For a new guy like me coming through, you can’t get caught up with that - you’ve just got to keep it simple and believe in yourself.”

He needed great care over his first 50 at Wantage Road but then raced to three figures in only 64 more balls - hitting 19 fours and a six in all.

The tempo of Redmond’s runs from 50 to 100 was a surprise to a habitually defensive batsman.

“It definitely wasn’t the plan, but sometimes things just click,” he said. “I didn’t even realise I scored it that quickly.

“You just have to give yourself a bit of time early on, and then you have the chance to bat for two or three hours.

“It always helps to spend time at the crease - gives you that bit of confidence.

“Batting with ’Baz’ (McCullum), he’s always going to rotate the strike; he’s a great runner between the wickets and talks you through the whole innings.”

Northamptonshire seamer Dave Wigley finished with flattering figures of 4-74 as the Kiwis ran out of steam late on.

But the only significant setback for the tourists was a tortured six runs for Daniel Flynn, on his return to the fray after his emergency dental surgery from a blow inflicted by a James Anderson bouncer.