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WORCESTER - Daniel Flynn erased some nagging self-doubt and is now eyeing a permanent New Zealand one-day international cricket batting spot as coach John Bracewell's specialist `finisher'.
One of the rare positives to emerge from New Zealand's third test defeat in Nottingham, Flynn has been earmarked for the No 6 ODI spot as Bracewell resists any thoughts of shifting him up to No 3.
It's a role with a vacancy after Craig McMillan's retirement and Brendon McCullum's shift to the opening position.
Flynn, 23, admits he's happy to bat anywhere in the order, ahead of Saturday's (NZT) Twenty20 match against England, after he exorcised some demons at Trent Bridge.
Under pressure following a third-ball duck in the first innings, the left-hander shook off the memory of his teeth-shattering jolt to the face in Manchester to bat 152 minutes for 49 in a composed 94-run stand with Brendon McCullum.
While the innings didn't save New Zealand the test, it was crucial for Flynn's mental state after the James Anderson bouncer that rearranged his teeth, and hinted at a long international career.
"There's always that thought lingering in the back of your head. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. It was something I realised I had to get past as a soon as possible," Flynn said.
"To get back out there quickly and get involved was what I was really aiming for."
Flynn still kicked himself for getting out late on day three, one of several New Zealanders nicked out chasing wide deliveries.
He said the feeling was frustration among the side as they let the series slip away to lose 0-2.
"I hadn't really made any major contribution in the series. It still wasn't a big innings but it showed I was capable of performing at this level. Hopefully I can kick on from that.
"To get out the way I did when I did probably let the hard work come undone a bit. That was obviously a bit of a let down."
Flynn and his teammates were still trying to shake off the test disappointment as they arrived in Worcester for a warmup match ahead of Saturday's (NZT) Twenty20 international in Manchester and Sunday night's five-match ODI series opener near Durham.
After two dour innings at Lord's and Trent Bridge, Flynn was looking forward to opening the shoulders in the one-dayers. His only ODI innings to date was a four-ball duck against England in Christchurch in February.
He scored two blazing one-day centuries for Northern Districts in the past summer, and after his test performances Bracewell is convinced he can be just as effective in the black uniform.
"Long term I think Daniel has the temperament and technique to be a finisher. We need to re-develop that position given that Brendon has moved up the order," Bracewell said.
"It'll be a different style to Brendon's, but you saw glimpses of that in his two good test innings, he can deal with pressure and adapt to the situation."
Bracewell said he saw Flynn as an ideal test match No 5 as he gained experience, and reiterated he wouldn't be shifted to the troublesome test No 3 spot despite his technique appearing to suit a top-order role.
"He's a nuggety player who can play off his hip, rotate the strike and adapt to a situation - it's very encouraging.
"He's going to be a natural five, and we'd be going for a short-term fix, which has often been our problem, by slipping him up the order too soon."
- NZPA
