Cricket: Opening act a tough role for in form Flynn

Flynn is set to open against South Africa. Photo / Getty Images

Daniel Flynn deserves his selection after fine first-class form. The Northern Districts batsman has made 584 runs in the middle order at 83.43 this season with centuries in his last three matches. However, asking the 26-year-old to open seems odd given Brendon McCullum's past proficiency in the job.

Flynn faces the same formidable South African pace battery that claimed Rob Nicol cheaply in the first two tests. In 16 tests, Flynn has batted anywhere from opener (one duck in Sri Lanka) to No 7 (one innings of 49) with his best numbers coming at No 6 (average 36.80 from nine innings) followed by No 3 (average 28.70 from 14 innings).

He faces the Proteas attack with the background that few New Zealanders who have opened and batted down the order have better averages when they go in first. Brendon McCullum (45.13 v 35.52), Matt Horne (29.33 v 23.91) and Mathew Sinclair (33.00 v 31.91) are three exceptions. The likes of Stephen Fleming, Lou Vincent and Hamish Marshall were substantially more successful spending time waiting to bat.

Sinclair opened in six tests and batted from No 3 to No 6 in 27 tests for New Zealand from 1999-2010. He remains one of the first-class scene's most prolific batsmen for Central Districts with the most Plunket Shield runs (678 at 52.15) of anyone this season. Sinclair says opening requires a vastly different mindset. He says ideally New Zealand should not use short-term fixes.

"It has been a problem area since I can remember. You've got to be a special character to be an opener; aggressive like a Michael Slater or grafting like a Mark Richardson. Regardless of your approach, you've got to use the new ball to maximum effect taking the shine off through shots or wearing down the bowlers by letting it through to the keeper. It's a tough role especially on tricky New Zealand wickets, openers often have to work hard before the wicket flattens."

Sinclair can understand why Flynn would seize the opportunity to open: "I jumped at that chance because I just wanted to play. I had to get in the team one way or another. We don't have the luxury of a big talent pool in New Zealand for such a specific position. Compare that to Australia where most players take years to establish themselves at state level.

"I used to find it hard after a day-and-a-half in the field, especially if I'd been stationary in the slips. I used to like the middle order because you can see what's going on and get an indication as to what the wicket's doing.

"I enjoyed batting at three or four. It was a chance to chill out and take a mental break, even if it was just 15 minutes."

Craig Cumming opened in each of his 12 tests for New Zealand but spent some time down the order for Otago.

He plays his last first-class game for the province this week.

Cumming found opening less stressful: "I found opening held nowhere near the pressure compared to batting at three.

"I loved going in at 0 for 0 from 0. I didn't like adjusting to the mindset where you could have the pads on for 30 overs or be in second ball. You are always on the back foot at No 3, in my experience, because it involves the loss of a wicket. Openers can dictate terms.

"Having said that, it's a big call to open with Flynn given he's spent so little time there in the past.

"New Zealand is facing a South African attack that barely bowls a soft over in an innings.

"I'd like to see more consistency as to where Brendon plays.

"He shows the technique and ability to wear down and dominate opening bowlers."