New Zealand opener Aaron Redmond is in a confident frame of mind heading into the first Test against England, according to his provincial coach Mike Hesson.

The Otago batsman scored 146 and 64 in the drawn warm-up match against England A and seems certain to make his Test debut at Lord's on Thursday.

And Otago coach Hesson, who has been in regular email contact with the right-hander, believes the 28-year-old would not be overawed by the experience.

"Aaron is the sort of guy who doesn't get fazed and I hope when it gets into a Test match that he can take that with him when he walks out to bat," Hesson told The Dominion Post.

"He'll be nervous beforehand but he is the sort of guy when he walks out to bat he is oblivious to all the things around him."

Aside from being cool under pressure, Hesson insists Redmond was one of the best players of fast bowling in New Zealand and had the ability to bat for several sessions.

He proved that against England A in Southampton with his innings of 146 lasting just shy of seven hours and including 23 boundaries.

"He's batted time for us over the last couple of years," added Hesson. "He will often bat four or five hours for 50, so batting for a day in a Test will be right up his alley."

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