A brisk half century from opener Aaron Redmond gave the BLACKCAPS a flying start to the second cricket test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval today.
Redmond rattled up his second test half century just before lunch as the BLACKCAPS cruised to 101 for one after captain Daniel Vettori won the toss on an excellent batting surface.
The BLACKCAPS’ only wicket of the session was that of Jamie How, who was caught behind for 16 from a loose drive off paceman Mitchell Johnson.
Redmond and How added 46 for the first wicket.
Redmond entered the match under pressure after scores of five and 13 against New South Wales and three and 10 in the BLACKCAPS’ 149-run defeat in the first test.
But he relished the friendly conditions and some wayward deliveries from Brett Lee and Stuart Clark to get under way.
He was particularly severe on spinner Nathan Hauritz, who was recalled for his second test after first-choice Jason Krejza was ruled out with a sprained ankle.
Redmond welcomed Hauritz to the crease by taking 17 off his first over, including consecutive sixes over midwicket which raised his 50 off 80 deliveries.
He followed up with consecutive boundaries off Hauritz's next over to be unbeaten on 65 at lunch.
Jesse Ryder was unbeaten on 13.
Hauritz had no wicket for 29 off three overs while Johnson had one for 17.
The BLACKCAPS made one change from the Brisbane test, recalling batsman Peter Fulton for his eighth test in place of allrounder Grant Elliott.
Spinner Jeetan Patel was named 12th man.
Australia also made one change, with Hauritz recalled in place of allrounder Shane Watson.
NZPA
