Tauranga's Daniel Flynn might be the latest player on the carousel of New Zealand opening batsmen but the rugged left-hander says he is keen to stick with the job.
The Northern Districts 26-year-old was recalled to the national side for the third test against South Africa in Wellington after makinghundreds in three consecutive Plunket Shield matches.
He responded with a gritty 45 in New Zealand's first innings total of 275 yesterday - which was the second-highest score - and showed his compact technique and patience could stick at test level.
Flynn combined with Martin Guptill (59) to put on 86 for the first wicket. In Flynn's previous 16 tests, the last of which was in December 2009, the former New Zealand under-19 representative was used everywhere in the batting order from opening to No7.
His returns weren't exactly plentiful and he was sent back to domestic duty to work on his game. A nagging hip injury followed last year but national coach John Wright must have liked what he saw when he gave Flynn a national contract for this summer.
While a knock of 45 isn't cause to declare that New Zealand's opening batting woes have been solved, Flynn said he could see himself settling in to the job.
"I'd like to think so. It's a challenge that I enjoy," he said. "I haven't had a lot of experience at it, but getting out there is something that I've enjoyed."
Flynn will undoubtedly get another crack with the bat on day five today depending on when South Africa choose to declare their second innings.
They closed day four on 75-0, with a lead of 274 and are in complete control of the game with openers Graeme Smith (34) and Alviro Petersen (38) unbeaten at the crease.
New Zealand will have to either bat out the day or have a dig at a fourth-innings run chase without their captain and most accomplished test batsman, Ross Taylor. The right-hander copped a Morne Morkel bouncer on his left forearm shortly after lunch yesterday and was forced to retire hurt on 18. X-rays revealed a fracture to Taylor's ulna bone in his forearm and it is highly unlikely he will play any further part in the test.
New Zealand assistant coach Trent Woodhill said the side wanted to put in a fourth-innings batting display their skipper would be proud of.
