Cricket: Redmond surprise tri-series pick

WELLINGTON - The leg- spinning son of Rodney Redmond - who scored a test century in his only test for New Zealand - is a surprise selection in the South Island cricket side named yesterday by New Zealand Cricket to contest a tri-series with the North Island and England A in Christchurch next month.

Aaron Redmond is the only player named yet to make his first-class debut. Resident in Western Australia, the 20-year-old impressed BIL cricket academy director Dayle Hadlee when he bowled to the New Zealand under-19 side during a stopover in Perth en route to the Youth World Cup in South Africa in January 1998.

Redmond's father, Rodney, played his one test for New Zealand against Pakistan in 1972, scoring 107 and 56. He was selected for the following tour of England but did not play another test.

Aaron Redmond yesterday described his selection as "quite a surprise, I'm excited at the opportunity I've been given."

He models his bowling on Australian legspinner Stuart MacGill, and realises he is still years away from developing his repertoire.

Although his career had been groomed through school and age-group cricket in Perth, Redmond said he always wanted to represent New Zealand.

"I've always been interested in coming back to home turf. I've always told mum I want to come back and play for New Zealand if I had the chance," he told Radio Sport.

"If I develop my cricket over the next few years it's an opportunity I'll take with both hands. I'd love to achieve what dad did," he said.

While his father had been a great influence on his development, in latter years Western Australian state coaches and representative players had also passed on tips.

Redmond said he hoped to develop his bowling arsenal with assistance from academy coach Mike Shrimpton and Australian spin expert Terry Jenner, who occasionally visits New Zealand.

He described his cricket upbringing in Western Australia as helpful because of its "hostility."

"I'm hoping to bring some of that aggressive approach over here. It toughened me up a bit."

Redmond said he was determined to settle back in New Zealand and eyes playing for Canterbury in the upcoming domestic season New Zealand Cricket convener of selectors Ross Dykes said the squad announced yesterday underlined NZC's development of a number of talented young players. Fifteen of the 24 had spent a year at the academy at Lincoln.

"Where there was little or nothing between contenders for a place in these sides we have decided to select with an eye to the future," Dykes said.

"Some players can consider themselves unlucky not to be included, [Northern Districts wicketkeeper] Robbie Hart was one candidate who comes to mind but the selectors felt Chris Nevin had earned his chance."

Players returning from the New Zealand tour of India after the test series will also be included in the North or South Island teams.

North Island: Blair Pocock (capt, Auckland), James Marshall (Northern Districts), Matthew Sinclair (Central Districts), Lou Vincent (Auckland), Jacob Oram (Central Districts), Scott Styris (Northern Districts), Chris Nevin (Wellington), Brooke Walker (Auckland), Matthew Hart (Northern Districts), Kerry Walmsley (Auckland), Michael Mason (Central Districts), Daryl Tuffey (Northern Districts).

South Island: Gary Stead (capt, Canterbury), Craig Cumming (Canterbury), Robbie Lawson (Otago), Jarrod Englefield (Central Districts), Mark Richardson (Otago), Aaron Redmond (Western Australia), Mark Jefferson (Wellington), Martyn Croy (Otago), Carl Bulfin (Wellington), David Sewell (Otago), Chris Martin (Canterbury), Warren Wisneski (Canterbury).

Itinerary: North Island v South Island, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Nov 8-11; England A v North Island at BIL Oval, Lincoln, Nov 15-18; England A v South Island, Jade Stadium, Christchurch, Nov 21-24. - NZPA