KEY POINTS:
More runs flowed for Aaron Redmond as New Zealand completed their preparation for this week's first cricket test against England by drawing with England A in Southampton.
The four-day match at the Rose Bowl was an even, if slow-moving affair and New Zealand never threatened to chase England A's final day target of 368 off 75 overs.
The hosts declared at 360 for eight but New Zealand opted to use the day for batting practice on an easy-paced pitch, reaching 201 for four before play was ended early.
Redmond completed an impressive buildup for the first test starting at Lord's on Saturday with 64 to follow his career-best 146 from the first innings.
He put on 150 in a solid opening stand with Jamie How, who rediscovered his touch with 74, with both batsmen lodging important three-hour stays.
James Marshall then fell for 15 while Ross Taylor was trapped lbw on his fourth ball without scoring, continuing a lean run in four innings since he arrived from the Indian Premier League.
That loss of four wickets in the space of 13 overs effectively ended the tourists' hopes of victory with leg-spinner Adil Rashid claiming three of the scalps.
Brendon McCullum was unbeaten on 21 when stumps were drawn.
After securing a first-innings lead of just seven runs, England A began the day on 275 for five and went on the attack for 12.3 overs before the declaration an hour before lunch.
Aggressive strokeplay from spinner Graeme Swann, who scored 52, boosted their score.
Opener Michael Carberry, who retired with his score at 100 yesterday, returned to the crease and reached 108 before he was caught behind off Tim Southee.
Chris Martin repeated his first innings haul by taking three wickets, for 76 runs, while Southee and expensive spinner Jeetan Patel both claimed two victims.
The first Test against England at Lords starts on Thursday night (NZ time.
- NZPA
