Daniel Flynn pays price for Black Caps test

BY MARTIN DAVIDSON

Daniel Flynn paid the penalty when the New Zealand cricket selectors shuffled their batting cards for the one-off test against Bangladesh next week.

Flynn has been dropped after 16 test matches, with Central Districts batsman Peter Ingram named to make his debut at first drop and Martin Guptill vacating that position to fill the hole left by Flynn at No 5 in the order.

Ingram was one of three new caps named in a 13-strong squad today, with Wellington fast bowler Andy McKay joining the hard-hitting batsman in earning his test spurs, one week after being included in the national one-day side for the first time.

Also, Otago middle order batsman Neil Broom has been included, but the prospects of him playing his first test at No 6 depend on the state of the Seddon Park pitch in Hamilton when the test starts next Monday.

The three replace Flynn, the retired Iain O'Brien and the injured Grant Elliott from the side who drew with Pakistan in the third test of a drawn series in Napier in December.

The composition of the squad means the selectors have choices to make; a three-strong pace attack would create room for Broom, to be followed by captain Dan Vettori at No. 7 then wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

But they still have the freedom to opt for a four-strong seam attack, leaving Vettori at No 6 where he scored a century in the team's last outing in Napier.

New coach and selector Mark Greatbatch said Flynn was being sent back to Northern Districts to score runs.

He said the 24-year-old left-hander had both technical and confidence issues to deal with after averaging just 28.70 in 29 innings at the top level.

"Daniel's had a bit of a rough trot,"' Greatbatch said today.

"He's been a bit anxious and when you are anxious you probably don't move as well as you'd like."

Ingram's promotion comes after he has dominated domestic attacks for the past three summers.

He has scored 69 and 28 in the opener's role against Bangladesh in two one-dayers, a format which doesn't fully expose his limited foot movement.

His selection owes a great deal to the selectors' determination to shore up a porous top order which has seriously stalled the test team's progress in recent years.

Greatbatch acknowledged the 31-year-old was no Fred Astaire at the batting crease, but backed him to do the job required.

"It comes down to where he moves them (feet), what shape he gets into and how good a decision-maker he is.

"As selectors, we've watched Peter closely and he is a good decision-maker, he leaves the ball well outside off stump. Obviously, he's going to get tested but we feel he's earned the right, he's a fair chance to contribute."

Guptill's selection at No. 5 follows unconvincing returns at No. 3, and the 23-year-old's average of 23.50 from 14 test innings reflects poorly for one with his talents.

Greatbatch said Guptill needed to tighten his defensive technique.

"We feel and he feels his style of game might suit batting in the middle order.

Martin is a very good young player but one aspect of his game he needs to firm up is having a really good defence.

"If we can help him achieve that I think he will be a very, very good player across the board.''

McKay has made every post a winner since joining the one-day squad, impressing Vettori and Greatbatch with both his pace, variety and control.

He first-class career spans just 24 matches for Auckland then Wellington since 2002/03, and he has yet to take five wickets in an innings.

Auckland fast bowler Daryl Tuffey was included in the squad despite carrying a hamstring strain which has ruled him out of tomorrow's third one-day international against Bangladesh.

His fitness will be closely monitored but Northern Districts' Brent Arnel has been placed on standby should the injury preclude Tuffey's selection in Hamilton.

Squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Brendon McCullum, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey, Andy McKay, Chris Martin.

- NZPA