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Aaron Redmond, son of one-test wonder Rodney, today became the latest potential solution to New Zealand cricket's batting woes.
Redmond has been selected as the latest in a long line of tried and discarded openers -- his naming in the test squad to tour England the only genuine surprise when Sir Richard Hadlee announced the test and one-day squads in Christchurch today.
Originally a leg break bowler for Canterbury, Redmond now heads the batting order for Otago and follows in his father's footsteps after amassing 447 runs at 40.63 in the domestic four-day competition.
He replaces Matthew Bell, whose test revival lasted all of five tests, while in other modifications to the test batting Daniel Flynn continues to be groomed for a middle order berth and his captain at Northern Districts James Marshall earns a recall.
While Marshall opened the batting during his initial five-test tenure, the 29-year-old is seen as a candidate to shore up a top and middle order to be missing the retired Stephen Fleming.
Facing the new ball will fall to Redmond -- and one of the success stories of the summer, Jamie How.
Peter Fulton also returns to possibly inherit Fleming's first drop berth.
Bell's position was untenable after averaging 19.50 against England while 31-year-old Mathew Sinclair's international career also appears over after he struggled against the English -- and Bangladesh.
He has been cut loose, presumably for the last time, after averaging 11.83 during the 1-2 series loss to England last month.
Selection panel manager Hadlee, naming his last side before officially stepping aside at the end of July, said settling on the batting permutations was the toughest issue facing fellow-selectors John Bracewell, Glenn Turner and Dion Nash.
"We've had some problems at the top of the order over the past few years. We tried and a number of players and they've averaged between 16 and 24," Hadlee lamented.
"We feel they haven't done the job that's required. Aaron has been around the domestic scene for a few years, he had a pretty good year this year.
"He's not too fazed about pressure and match situations.
"It is the changing of the guard, it is a new era and one or two players like Aaron and Daniel have been given the opportunity."
He felt for discards Bell and Sinclair but admitted they did not warrant inclusion.
"We were committed to giving Mathew (Sinclair) five tests to see if he could make the most of the opportunity and unfortunately we didn't get a gain from that.
"It's sad for one or two of those players who have performed at domestic level but they've struggled at the next level."
Flynn, 22, was blooded briefly at Twenty20 and ODI level against England without success but he stacked up impressive numbers domestically with two one-day centuries and 663 first-class runs at 60.27.
"He's one for the future, this tour of England is a great opportunity to be tested and learn about the history and heritage of the game," Hadlee said.
Marshall, who averages 23.71 in test cricket, justified his recall with 581 runs at 52.81 in the State Championship, plus 470 runs at 52.22 in the one-day domestic arena.
Jesse Ryder is the notable inclusion for the five-match ODI series although it is dependent on his rehabilitation from a self-inflicted hand injury sustained during a drinking spree in February.
Ryder needed surgery after punching a toilet window after the final ODI against England in Christchurch. He rehab was expected to take 6-8 weeks before he could return to the nets.
"The timeline is tight but we want to give him every opportunity," Hadlee said.
The ODI series starts on June 13 and if hard-hitting opener Ryder misses out, Fulton will take his place.
Meanwhile, the bowling composition was more straightforward with ODI squad members Michael Mason and Mark Gillespie also in contention for one available test squad berth.
How will captain the side for two tour matches before Daniel Vettori and the remainder of New Zealand's Indian Premier League contingent arrive on May 1 -- a fortnight before the first test at Lord's.
NZPA
