KEY POINTS:
Daniel Flynn was philosophical after claiming an unwanted place in New Zealand cricketing history, by being dismissed five runs short of a maiden test century against the West Indies at University Oval here today.
Flynn became the first New Zealand batsman to be given out under an International Cricket Council trial that allows fielding captains to request the third umpire review decisions if an appeal has been turned down.
Chris Gayle took that opportunity for the first time when he felt he had trapped Flynn leg before wicket on 95 early in the final session on day one of the first test - and his challenge was vindicated after Indian umpire Amish Saheba, standing in his first test, initially gave Flynn the benefit of the doubt.
Once South African Rudi Koertzen deliberated after viewing the television replays and conferred with Saheba, Flynn saw the finger raised as he was standing off the pitch with batting partner Jesse Ryder.
Denied a potential ton, Flynn could still take satisfaction from his career best forming the cornerstone of New Zealand's stumps score of 226 for four.
The television replays available to Koertzen indicated part time spinner Gayle's delivery had pitched outside off stump but struck Flynn in line with the wickets as he prodded forward.
Height was also not an issue as the ball was never going to clear the stumps.
When Flynn watched the footage when back in the dressing room he reached the same conclusion.
"I thought I was hit outside the line but once I looked at it again I've seen it's hit me in line. You can't really argue with it can you?
"I initially thought I was okay. The West Indies boys were asking me how I was feeling ... I was pretty calm to start with but once it started dragging out a bit longer, the nerves crept in."
Gayle was supremely confident when the ball struck the front pad and had no hesitation in seeking a second opinion.
"I thought it was pretty close, I wouldn't be shouting if I thought it was missing," he said.
However, as the West Indies players assembled waiting for the decision, Gayle started to have misgivings.
"It was taking a while and in these cases normally the batsmen get the benefit of the doubt.
"I figured that was going to happen in this case but eventually it came in our favour. If I was the batsman I'd be pretty disappointed with this referral (system) .... it's something new and I guess it can help the game."
He sympathised with Flynn.
"It's unfortunate he missed out on a hundred, he batted pretty well even though it was a good wicket to bat on."
Flynn bettered his previous test best of 49 by striking a dozen boundaries during his almost four-hour vigil.
Batting at first drop for the first time in his eight-test career the compact strokemaker was at the crease from the sixth over of the morning - when he replaced opener Jamie How - to the final ball of the 65th, three overs into the final session.
The two-test series is the second time the ICC's referral system has been trialed, following on from the Sri Lanka and India series in August.
Under the system the fielding side can make three unsuccessful challenges before their ability to refer decisions to the third official expires.
Batsmen are also able to seek a second opinion when given out - they too have three unsuccessful challenges before the team's lifeline runs out.
- NZPA
