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NORTHAMPTON - Aaron Redmond eased the New Zealand test cricket selectors' minds but an interesting conundrum looms after James Marshall's day one failure at Northampton.
Redmond got a handy confidence boost for next Thursday's third test against England in Nottingham with an impressive 121 as New Zealand reached
329 for eight at stumps on the first day of the three-day tour match.
But Marshall added to his test scores of 24, nought, nought and 28 with a 46-minute knock of 11 against Northamptonshire, before waving the bat and being caught at first slip.
It was wayward seamer Richard Logan's only wicket on day one, which he ended with one for 87 off 15 overs.
Coach John Bracewell reaffirmed his faith in Marshall at No 3 after the team's six-wicket loss in the second test in Manchester but his patience may wear thin if Marshall misses out in the second innings here.
Peter Fulton, after nearly losing his off stump when he shouldered arms to the first ball of the match, grew in confidence with an elegant 57 before being nicked out in the first over after the break.
It was just his second innings of the tour, more than a month after his 28 in the opening one-day match at Arundel.
Redmond, who added 113 for the first wicket with Fulton, was impressed after being reunited with his former Canterbury teammate whose previous test was against Bangladesh in January.
"It's the first time in about six years so it was nice to have a bit of time with him in the middle. He batted really well and played some beautiful shots, I enjoyed the time with him," Redmond said.
"He's a great player and he's been working really hard and as well as that, to get some time in the middle was a good thing for him. "
Fulton could be considered at No 3 with another big score in the second innings here.
There was more frustration for test No 6 Daniel Flynn, a week after losing two teeth and suffering ongoing nausea from a nasty hit to the head from England paceman James Anderson.
He was passed fit to bat at Northampton after a quickfire net session before play, but came to the wicket at a tricky time with local paceman David Wigley bowling an accurate spell.
After edging his second ball between the wicketkeeper and first slip, Flynn was trapped in front by Wigley for six and will need some confidence-boosting runs in the second innings.
"From the time he did it he wanted to go straight out there and bat anyway. He's always chewing the physio's arm to get out there and play. He's really gutsy and it was no surprise," Redmond said.
"He's been working really hard and it's been a little bit tough for him in the past week. But he's one of the gutsiest players around and he'll definitely bounce back."
Redmond meanwhile will head to Trent Bridge next week in an improved frame of mind after scoring 51 runs in his first four test innings at Lord's and Old Trafford.
"I haven't felt bad but the biggest thing is to keep things simple. At times you're not going to make runs, but the biggest thing with this innings is to keep building the momentum."
- NZPA