Redmond impresses on debut

Aaron Redmond celebrates passing fifty for New Zealand

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New opener Aaron Redmond marked his first appearance for New Zealand with a solid 72 before their first tour match against MCC at Arundel was abandoned.

Redmond and stand-in skipper Jamie How provided a firm foundation, sharing a first-wicket stand of 91 in a total of 239 for seven.

MCC, chasing an adjusted victory target of 217 off 37 overs following six interruptions for rain, reached 44 for two off nine overs before the match was called off because of bad light.

As the only specialist openers in the New Zealand squad, Redmond and How will, barring mishaps, face England in the first Test at Lord's, starting on May 15.

Given the lack of competition at the top of the order following former captain Stephen Fleming's retirement from international cricket, 28-year-old Redmond should be looking forward to a longer Test career than his father Rodney.

Jamie How hit 10 fours in his quickfire captain's innings

Redmond senior began impressively with scores of 107 and 56 on his debut in the final Test against Pakistan in 1973.

But, suffering contact lens problems on the same year's tour to England, he failed to impress in the county games and never played another Test.

After hitting seven fours in his 117-ball 72, Aaron Redmond admitted: “I was a little bit nervous at the start because it's the first time I've had the opportunity to play for a New Zealand side, but it was great to find my feet.

“It's a great opportunity and the best thing I can do is keep performing and training hard.”

He targeted a place in the New Zealand side by re-inventing himself as an opener when he joined Otago four years ago, after previously batting in the middle order.

“I thought it would give me a better chance to play for the Black Caps and I tried to work on my game and make it nice and tight and it's worked for me,” said Redmond, who revealed that his father is not bitter about the brevity of his own Test career.

“He doesn't talk too much about it. He got his one Test and got a hundred and a fifty so I don't think there's any sour grapes. It's everyone's dream to play for their country and he took the opportunity."

New Zealand coach, John Bracewell declared himself “delighted” with the performances of his openers.

Tim Southee smashes one of two sixes towards the end

“We're looking for intent from our batters, not just occupation,” he said.

“Redmond has got the ability but he's just not tested at international level, so it was good for him to get time in the middle.”

Redmond was fifth out, falling to a superb one-handed diving catch by former England one-day wicketkeeper Paul Nixon off Sean Ervine, while How's enterprising 46 off 56 balls included 10 fours.

They reached 239 for seven in a match initially reduced from 50 to 47 overs a side by the interruptions, as 20-year old Tim Southee finished with a flourish, smashing two sixes.

Paceman Mark Gillespie struck two early blows for New Zealand, having Darren Bicknell caught for 12 and trapping Richard Montgomerie lbw for 20 before the match was called off when the light deteriorated.

In the absence of regular captain Daniel Vettori - one of five Kiwi tourists currently playing in the Indian Premier League - How will be in charge again for the three-day game against Kent, starting at Canterbury on Monday.

Chris Martin, New Zealand's main strike bowler, is included after missing this warm-up match.

Vettori and the tour party's other four IPL players - vice-captain Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram - are expected to join up with the squad before the first four-day match against Essex at Chelmsford, starting on Friday.