David Leggat: Redmond's recall carries a touch of romance

Aaron Redmond. Photo / NZPA

In a loose sense of the word, there is a touch of romance about the recall of Aaron Redmond for next week's first test against the West Indies.

After five years back treading the domestic circuit since the last of his seven tests, and with an average of 20, it seemed as if the 34-year-old's days as an international batsman were done. Another player with talent unfulfilled appeared to have run his race.

And so getting the call into the squad of 13 - even as cover for the regular No 3 Kane Williamson - should be applauded.

He might not make the final XI, given Williamson's recovery rate from his broken thumb, picked up fielding in Bangladesh last month.

That's rather beside the point.

Form should count for something, and in Redmond's case it has, albeit slightly belatedly.

Last summer, he topped the Plunket Shield aggregates with 941 at 55. He finished in a two-into-one situation with fellow 34-year-old Peter Fulton for an opening role against England.

Fulton won the job and to be fair, only Redmond scored more than his 902 runs for Canterbury last summer.

But when that decision was made, it looked as if that would be it.

However Williamson's circumstances, plus more weight of runs from Redmond in the early days of this first-class season - 271 in four innings - have forced the hand of the selectors, coach Mike Hesson and new general manager of selection Bruce Edgar.

Redmond's father, Rodney, played one test, in 1973 against Pakistan, and became one of the great stories.

He made 107 and 56 against Pakistan at Eden Park - "Redmond's working him around the clock" was commentator Alan Richards memorable line after Redmond took five fours to all parts of the sunlit ground from successive deliveries by offspinner Majid Khan to the roars from the large crowd.

A tour to England followed shortly after and John Parker won Redmond's spot for the first test and that was that.

What seemed to be Aaron Redmond's last test produced 83 and 19 against Australia at Adelaide.

His second-innings dismissal to the second ball of a day which began with New Zealand having all 10 wickets intact and needing to bat out the day, was a howler. He slapped Brett Lee's first ball for four, then hit a catch to cover.

It seemed to haunt Redmond and his card was marked.

Now, maybe, he has another opportunity, courtesy of selectors who deserve a pat on the back for rewarding runmakers.

If he plays, and makes good runs, it gives Hesson and Edgar a pleasant head scratcher for the rest of the series. Anyone with an appreciation of a nice story of redemption would wish him well.