How at three with Ryder and McCullum opening would be my ideal trio. Though would be interesting to see Flynn in the position, has he batted there for ND with any success?
From Cricket Archive:
"Daniel Flynn is a 23 year old hard-hitting, powerful batsman who has been drafted into the New Zealand squad for the first time, beginning with the tour to England. The young left-handed batsman
usually bats up the order and takes pleasure in hitting the ball over the top. He rose into prominence with some strong performances in the under-19 World Cup in 2003-04, where he was also the New Zealand captain, and ever since then has continued his strong run in the domestic matches. In 25 First Class matches, he has scored 1298 runs with four centuries at a decent average of 33.10. Because of his ferocious hitting in the domestic ODIs, he earned a call-up to the T20 squad to face England in March 2008, especially since Jacob Oram was injured. But he didn’t get many chances after that. However, his highly increasing popularity has won him a central contract with New Zealand cricket for 2008-09."
He is batting currently in the ND side as a number 4/5 batsman. An OZ is taking up the number 3 position late in the 07-08 season, and expects to take it on later this season too. I also heard Parlane is unwanted by Wellington just because he's 35 and is returning to ND.
Certainly nothing substantial to suggest he is a number 3, I just think he is because he displays good techniques and is patient with his innings, but also can be a "good cricket strokes' merchant" when the situation demands it, which is what makes a good number 3 as opposed to a number 4 or number 5 where he's a bit of a waste. I prefer to see Ryder at 5/6 at least in tests than Flynn.
I also don't think Flynn can be reckless with his innings, like say a McCullum or a Taylor. He hasn't shown any signs of being able to slog/warf at deliveries, he just plays good cricket shots generally. If anything I think he is like Ian Bell of England. Good up the order, but not necessarily a big hitter for the middle to lower order.
ODI - McCullum, Ryder, How - this has worked so far so we should persist with it.
If both Ryder and McCullum can't slog their way to their 50s, which is more than likely against a better bowling attack than what England dished up in the ODIs, How comes in to rescue the situation at 10/2 for example. If How gets out early too, then either Flynn, Styris or Fulton (in good nick) comes in. Taylor is too erratic, he needs to be batting lower down. His future role is like what McMillan did for us before he defected.
Tests -
How, Redmond, Flynn, Ryder, {Taylor, McCullum (wk), Oram, Vettori, Franklin,} Mills, Southee (Martin 12th?)
{} = Middle order from Taylor onwards is where the bit hitting comes provided one of the top three batsmen just occupy and bat time. How, Redmond and Flynn have shown signs of being prepared to occupy the crease without having to try going for shots. Flynn's partnership with Oram in the first test shows what ideally should be happening, imagine if Flynn had been batting up the order then, and he is still there when Oram comes in and flays away.
Damn long post.
