KEY POINTS:
A well-again Daniel Flynn has declared himself ready to return to test cricket against England - now it's just up to the selectors.
As the rain pelted down in Nottingham, forcing training indoors today, Flynn gave his first interview since his bloody tangle with a James Anderson bouncer on day one of the second test in Manchester.
A missing bottom tooth is the only visible scarring for the Tauranga batsman who's endured four separate visits to the dentist, including a new top front tooth and surgery on a lower tooth to remove a damaged nerve.
He insisted there was no mental hangover, and was keen to return immediately for Thursday's third test at Trent Bridge which New Zealand must win to ensure a 1-1 series tie.
"It's something you have to do and it's part and parcel of cricket. If you let it get on top of you, it's going to affect you for the rest of your career so it's just something I've realised I've got to get on with," Flynn said.
"Definitely, it'd be great to have another opportunity to get out there and perform." The headache for tour selectors John Bracewell, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum is Flynn's struggles in the tour match at Northampton where he scored eight runs from 12 deliveries in two innings.
Still, indications were he would retain his spot at No 6, with No 3 James Marshall seemingly under more pressure from Peter Fulton.
"I hadn't picked up a bat for a week really so I was a bit rusty (at Northampton), and the weather wasn't great today so I couldn't get outside. I've just been hitting a few more balls and getting into the swing of things," Flynn said.
"It has been quite tough just getting things sorted out with the mouth, but I'm feeling good now, no more pain so I'm back ready to go."
The 23-year-old, who played a gutsy 168-minute hand for 29 not out to help save the first test on debut at Lord's, remembers little of the Old Trafford incident.
He tried to hook an Anderson bouncer which flattened his helmet grille and smashed into his mouth.
"It's all a bit hazy to be honest. It was there to hit, I just missed it really, it's the only way to put it, just one of those things."
It was the first time Flynn had been hit in the head while batting, and left him with ongoing nausea for five days. He was cleared of concussion and insisted on trying to return in the second innings as New Zealand collapsed.
"I was keen to get back out there but the medical staff decided it probably wasn't the best bet which was a shame, considering the situation of the game it would have been nice to get back out there and contribute."
His stunned parents watched the incident live on television in New Zealand but were kept up to date on the telephone by manager Lindsay Crocker. Flynn joked he had a new smile to show them when they arrive in England for the upcoming one-day series.
If selected, Flynn expects plenty more short-pitched bowling on a Trent Bridge pitch expected to favour the pacemen after a spell of wet weather.
"They'd have to try me out, wouldn't they? I'm not thinking about it, you can't really afford to put too much thought into it."
New Zealand trained indoors today at the Hadlee Hall at Trent Bridge, playing dodgeball then having a light net workout. England's training was also curtailed and they opted for an archery session. The forecast is for clearing weather tomorrow and a fine start to the test.
- NZPA
