Redmond gets behind Flynn

Daniel Flynn made only six against Northamptonshire

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New Zealand centurion Aaron Redmond has backed team-mate Daniel Flynn to regain his confidence with the bat after losing two teeth to a James Anderson bouncer in the second npower Test.

Flynn batted for the first time since the sickening injury on the first day of the tourists’ tour match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The middle-order batsman made a tortured six, before falling lbw to the bowling of David Wigley who finished with 4-74.

Redmond, who struck 121 in the Black Caps’ 329 for eight, has few doubts that Flynn will fight back.

“Flynny got the chance to go out there and bat. He’s been working really hard,” he said.

“It’s been a little bit tough for him over the last week.

“But the biggest thing about Flynny is that he’s one of the gutsiest players around – and he’ll bounce back.

“From the time he actually did it, he wanted to go out there and bat straightaway.”

Flynn had his third bout of dental surgery – to remove a nerve – only the day before this match.

In the circumstances, Redmond was slightly unfortunate in his choice of supportive words when he added: “He’s always chewing the physio’s arm to get out there and play.

“Cricket has its ups and downs, but Flynny’s got the game to cope with it. He’ll definitely bounce back strong.”

Redmond shared a century opening stand with Peter Fulton (57) yesterday, and another three-figure alliance with stand-in captain Brendon McCullum (72).

He spoke in glowing terms about both, as he reflected on his own 200-ball hundred – which gathered pace significantly from 50 onwards.

“It’s the first time in about six years that I’ve batted with Fults,” Redmond said of the man who was this week added to New Zealand’s one-day international squad and asked to open here in place of the rested Jamie How.

“He’s a great player and has been working really hard. He batted really well and played some beautiful shots – and it was great to spend some time out there with him.”