AARON Redmond did all he could yesterday to get New Zealand back on track after their second-innings capitulation in the second Test - and is confident the tourists will continue to bounce back.

The Kiwis, who looked set for victory over England at Old Trafford but instead went 1-0 down with one to play, finished day one of their tour match at Northampton on 329 for eight.

And it was Redmond's second hundred of the tour and sixth in first-class cricket overall which had much to do with that.

After sharing century stands with his fellow opener Peter Fulton (57) and captain Brendon Mc- Cullum (72), Redmond (121) could afford a degree of satisfaction.

The boys were disappointed (in Manchester),'' he acknowledged.

But we walk away and have to realise what we did wrong and take the positives and negatives out of it.

He needed great care over his first 50 at Wantage Road but then raced to three figures in only 64 more balls - hitting 19 fours and a six in all.

Northants change seamer Dave Wigley finished with flattering figures of four for 74 as the Kiwis ran out of steam late on.

But the only significant setback for the tourists was a tortured six runs for Daniel Flynn, on his return to the fray after his emergency dental surgery from a blow inflicted by a Jimmy Anderson bouncer at Old Trafford.

The tempo of Redmond's runs from 50 to 100 was a surprise to a habitually defensive batsman.

It definitely wasn't the plan, but sometimes things just click,'' he said.

I didn't even realise I scored it that quickly.

You just have to give yourself a bit of time early on, and then you have the chance to bat for two or three hours.

It always helps to spend time at the crease - gives you that bit of confidence."