Flynn gets a second chance

Daniel Flynn in batting action in Gisborne.
Daniel Flynn in batting action in Gisborne.
Daniel Flynn was happy a ‘‘tiki tour'' to three domestic airports culminated in his arrival in Hawkes Bay yesterday, even if New Zealand's latest potential one-day cricketer's bat was misplaced on the way.

The 22-year-old from Tauranga was hopeful he would be reunited with his gear in time for New Zealand's net session today, but the luggage glitch far from detracted from his call-up to the ODI squad for the first time.

Flynn, one of a crop of promising cricketers who have caught the eye of New Zealand's selection panel, joined the squad of 13 for the final two one-dayers against England, the first of which is scheduled for McLean Park tomorrow.

Brought in ostensibly as cover for Jesse Ryder, it is not unlikely that the middleorder strokemaker could feature regardless of whether the Black Caps find of the summer recovers from an ankle injury.

The patchy form of New Zealand's batting order might see Flynn slot in for an out-of-form Peter Fulton either in Napier or in Christchurch in the series finale on Saturday.

None the wiser about his chances of playing, Flynn was simply delighted to experience another taste of the team environment.

Hours after scoring a career-best 149 against Canterbury, Flynn was summoned to the team hotel in Christchurch and eventually made his international twenty/20 debut at AMI Stadium.

It was hardly a memorable initiation as a replacement for the injured Jacob Oram. He was caught slogging the second ball and was out for one as New Zealand lost by 50 runs.

‘‘I didn't take much out of it,'' he admitted of his first exposure to elite cricket. Hopefully things pan out better now for the former national under-19 captain.

‘‘It's just a great thrill to be back here, I had a little taste of it and it's great to get another invitation back into the side,'' he said.

While his proximity to the Black Caps in Christchurch was probably in his favour when it was decided Oram should rest a hamstring strain, Flynn has the runs on the board to warrant inclusion - and admitted his elevation was not a total surprise.

‘‘I knew I'd been scoring runs and I'd spoken to a few people who said: If you're scoring runs they're going to have a look at you.

‘‘I just kept putting them on the board and I was lucky enough to get a call up.

‘‘Things have been going pretty well for me. I've been trying to keep things pretty simple, concentrate on watching the ball,'' he said, adding that his game would not be modified should he again face the likes of Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson.

‘‘I enjoy going after the bowlers. It's the style of game I like.'' Flynn averaged a creditable 47 in the State Shield competition when he was added to the squad at Paul Hitchcock's expense on Saturday, while his first class average is a superior 52.

He offered no great insight for a rich vein of form that has yielded two scores of 140 plus in the one-day competition.

‘‘I haven't done much different, but I'm staying still at the crease, which is important for me,'' said Flynn, who flew in from Hamilton via Wellington.

Ryder's left ankle is on the improve and he should play tomorrow, but even if Flynn stays on the periphery it will be a valuable experience.

‘‘We'll see what happens there [with Ryder] - it's just great to be back in the environment.''

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