McCullum admires Redmond by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	AJ Redmond, BB McCullum, WTS Porterfield
Event:	ICC World Twenty20 2009

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DateLine: 12th June 2009

 

Aaron Redmond's scintillating display of batting against Ireland in his Twenty20 World Cup debut earned him an admirer in stand-in skipper Brendon McCullum.

 

McCullum described the debutant's outstanding knock as "unbelievable".

 

Redmond was called to replace an injured Jesse Ryder who is down with abdominal ailment. The right-hander responded in spectacular fashion blasting the Irish attack for a 30-ball 63 which not only made sure the Kiwis win comprehensively by 83 runs but also him the Man of the Match award.

 

"Redmond played an unbelievable innings. To come in and play an innings like that was simply great," McCullum said.

 

"To play with so much of freedom is incredible," he added. Redmond himself was elated with his first day first show and showed immense confidence of the team doing well in the tournament.

 

"Sometimes, when you are taken off the couch and thrown into action, you have a good day. The tournament is open and the boys are doing well," he said.

 

Meanwhile Irish skipper William Porterfield was evry disappointed with his team's poor show and felt that the four run-outs did not help their cause after a poor display of bowling.

 

"It surely did not help us. They are a good side, they fielded well and bowled well too," he said.

 

"The first five overs were crucial. They got away. They fielded really well. They didn't make it easy for us. Our preparation has been good and we will learn a lot from the Super Eights," he said.