The former New Zealand opener celebrated his 100th first-class game with a hundred to help Otago grab the initiative in its Plunket Shield match with Canterbury in Rangiora yesterday.
The 33-year-old was back to his best, compiling a fine innings of 133 and combining in a 186-run opening stand with Hamish Rutherford (91).
Otago's middle order folded to undo some of the good work. But Ian Butler (34) and Neil Wagner (24) played valuable cameos to help the Volts reach 383 in reply to Canterbury's first innings total of 297.
Canterbury lost three wickets for two runs last night and at stumps on day two trails Otago by 84 runs with seven wickets in hand.
On Saturday, Canterbury slumped to 111 for five but recovered, thanks to new Black Cap Todd Astle scoring 95.
Astle combined in a valuable 80-run ninth-wicket partnership with Willie Lonsdale (35).
Wagner was the pick of the Otago bowlers with four for 67 from 24 overs.
Redmond's century came as a relief to the classy right-hander.
In six first-class games last season, Redmond managed just 157 runs at an average of 14.27.
No matter how he tried, he just could not find his touch. He lost the captaincy and was eventually dropped from all three formats.
Everybody was wondering when, not if, Redmond would bounce back. And he was wondering the same thing.
"Obviously, it was a lean run but I wasn't too worked up about it," Redmond said.
"I knew it was a matter of time.
"With all the work I've been doing over the winter, I knew I'd turn the corner at some stage. It is always nice to get runs in your first innings for the season."
Redmond felt he had been over-analysing his game and decided just to focus on enjoying it this summer.
"I wanted to play for the same reasons I've been playing since I was about 9, and that is for the enjoyment of it."
Redmond went to lunch on 99 and found a single shortly after the break to raise his 11th first-class 100 (177 deliveries). He was even able to enjoy lunch despite the pending milestone.
"I've been out on 99 before so I wasn't too nervous about it. At the end of the day, I'd rather take 99 than getting out first ball."
When he was trapped lbw by Astle, Otago was in a strong position at 255 for three.
Canterbury off-spinner Tim Johnston celebrated his 22nd birthday with his maiden five-wicket haul in his fifth first-class game. He removed the dangerous Rutherford and then snaffled the wickets of Neil Broom, Jimmy Neesham and Mark Craig in quick succession.
Craig's innings lasted just one delivery and Wagner made it five when he holed out.
At Nelson Park, Mathew Sinclair and Carl Cachopa scored 100s to help put Central Districts in a strong position in its match with Wellington.
The pair combined in a record third-wicket partnership against Wellington of 224, passing the previous mark of 180 set by Craig Ingham and Mark Greatbatch in Napier in 1994-95.
Cachopa offered a catch on 105 and Sinclair, who has now scored 35 first-class hundreds, was undefeated on 135 at stump with his side 301 for three.
