Marshall has twin ambition

James Marshall is determined to take his second chance

James Marshall is determined to build on a near-perfect start as he bids to regain his Test place after almost three years out of the New Zealand side.

Marshall was the big winner on a day of coincidences, making a century in the tourists' 348 for nine against Essex at Chelmsford - within 10 minutes of his twin brother also reaching three figures, for Gloucestershire at Bristol.

He rightly vowed to celebrate with some mutual Marshall congratulation on the phone last night - but he knows there is more for him to do to nail down the number three spot he has been pencilled in for in this month's Lord's Test.

"I've been handed the number three role at the start of the tour, and it's up to me to take it into the Test match," he said.

"I have to score runs here and in the next game and push for my place.

"You don't just get given it. You've got to earn it, and that is how I see this tour."

Marshall finished with 128 - having shared a fifth-wicket stand of 128 with Daniel Flynn.

Marshall is itching to get out again and start proving he is worth a sixth Test cap at least.

Daniel Flynn shared in a stand of 128 for the fifth wicket

"It's a nice start and a confidence-builder," he said of his innings on day one of four.

"On a wicket which probably could be one of the toughest we play on, it is nice to get runs.

"If I can take that sort of innings on to a good batting deck, I'll be happy."

Marshall is unconcerned by the lack of instant form from New Zealand's Indian Premier League contingent, after the quintet managed just 64 runs between them at the first attempt this summer.

He reasoned: "A couple of the guys arrived yesterday, and a couple the day before - so it's not easy to just come straight into conditions where it's colder and seaming around, swinging and come in and blaze the ball.

"They're working hard and know they've got to do a little bit of catch-up.

"But they're class players and experienced players, so it shouldn't take them long to get used to the conditions."

As for the state of the ongoing game, Marshall is confident the Kiwis are faring well.

"We would have taken that after being put in on this surface," he added.

"I guess if we'd bowled on it, we'd have been very disappointed if a side had scored 350 against us on that.

"We believe we can bowl them out reasonably cheaply on that surface.

"It may not probably do as much, which could play in our favour; instead of beating the edge, it may just take the edge. It could play into our hands."