Redmond handed Kiwi tour slot

Aaron Redmond

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Otago opener Aaron Redmond is the surprise inclusion in the New Zealand Test squad to tour England, while Jesse Ryder has been handed a return to the one-day ranks.

Redmond has made more than 3,000 runs in an eight-year provincial career with Canterbury and the Volts.

The 28-year-old becomes the latest player to be tried alongside incumbent Jamie How in the Black Caps’ problematic opening partnership.

Left-hander Ryder has been recalled to the one-day international squad - subject to a return to fitness, after injuring his right hand in a bar following the limited-overs success over England in February.

With captain Daniel Vettori one of five players arriving late because of Indian Premier League commitments, How will captain the team in two warm-up matches against the MCC at Arundel and Kent at Canterbury before the first npower Test at Lords on May 15.

Jesse Ryder features in the one-day squad © Getty Images

“These squads signal the future for the Black Caps, and there are a number of exciting selections,” said selection panel manager Sir Richard Hadlee.

“In particular, we welcome Aaron Redmond into the squad for the Test tour.

“Aaron has been one of the State Championship leading top-order batsmen for a number of seasons. He has consistently made runs from the opening position, averaging more than 40 this year.

“We hope he can provide a long-term solution to the top order, which we recognise as still being a key issue.”

New Zealand are set to face England in three npower Tests, one NatWest International Twenty20 match at Old Trafford and five matches in the NatWest Series - which begin on June 15 at the Riverside - before travelling to Scotland for a tri-series against the hosts and Ireland.

New Zealand Test squad to tour England: D Vettori (captain), D Flynn, P Fulton, G Hopkins, J How, B McCullum (wkt), J Marshall, C Martin, K Mills, I O’Brien, J Oram, J Patel, A Redmond, T Southee, R Taylor; M Mason/M Gillespie.
 
New Zealand one-day international squad to tour England: D Vettori (captain), D Flynn, M Gillespie, G Hopkins, J How, J Oram, M Mason, J Marshall, K Mills, B McCullum (wkt), J Patel, J Ryder, S Styris, T Southee, R Taylor.