Aaron Redmond ground out his maiden test half century, a milestone instrumental in New Zealand approaching their own historic test cricket achievement as Bangladesh’s self-belief eroded in Chittagong today.

Redmond’s temperament and technique was severely tested as New Zealand set about overhauling an imposing victory target of 317 on day four of the first test at the Divisional Stadium,

But critically the opener rarely wavered as he and debutant Jesse Ryder batted New Zealand into a position where they should avoid becoming the first major cricketing nation to drop a test to Bangladesh.

New Zealand were comfortably placed on 145 for two at the close, 172 runs short of victory with 90 overs available.

They would have been even more assured had Ryder not run himself out for 38 with less than three overs remaining.

The opener was unbeaten on a 192-ball 62 while captain Daniel Vettori (0) made himself nightwatchman.

Redmond started his fourth test in forgettable fashion on Friday when he shelled two regulation catches on the first morning.

He then bogged himself down at the crease, ekeing out a tortured 19 off 65 balls as New Zealand struggled to make headway against the spin of Shakib Al Hasan.

However, a diving catch to remove captain Mohammad Ashraful for a duck on Saturday signalled a change in fortune for the converted legspinner - he even reverted to his cricketing roots today to wrap up the Bangladeshi second innings on 245 with his third ball.

But it was his primary role that will give Redmond most satisfaction as he painstakingly worked on upping his test average of nine and bettering a top score of 28, made against England in Manchester five months ago.

Still plagued by leaden feet, Redmond took 31 balls before he trusted himself to hit in the air over cover.

His first boundary was an aberration but eventually Redmond grew in confidence - a glide and upper cut to third man in successive balls soothing the nerves.

He brought up his half century when finding the fence for the seventh time in 227 minutes, after facing 135 balls.

Redmond’s personal recovery seems to have been mirrored by New Zealand who had spent long periods of this contest on their heels.

Ryder also played an important role as the duo added 90 off 38.2 overs for the second wicket - a stand that followed Redmond and Jamie How’s 55-run liaison from the outset.

The usually free-flowing Ryder also batted conservatively given New Zealand were allotted a maximum 156 overs - and five sessions - to complete their highest fourth innings chase since the class of 1985 made 164 for four to beat Australian in Perth.

Ryder was unflustered in making 38 but, like How, gambled and lost when he tried to take a second on the arm from Mashrafe Mortaza at third man.

The pair had advanced the score to 84 at tea and then ticked off their own 50-run stand -off 127 balls - as Ashraful’s seven-pronged attack came up all but empty.

How (36) paid for a rare lapse in concentration when his attempted dab through point clipped off stump to give left armer Abdur Razzak - and Bangladesh - heart when the score was 55.

However, Redmond and Ryder blunted each bowler with chanceless innings’ - particularly Al Hasan.

The left armer snared seven for 36 first time round but although he was economical, conceding 34 off 22, an increasingly lifeless wicket did him no favours.

Vettori also had no luck with the ball today, though he still ended with the ultra respectable figures of four for 74 from 42 nagging overs - and nine for 133 for the match.

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