New Zealand batsman Daniel Flynn fell five runs short of his maiden century after the West Indies used a new rule to successfully challenge the umpire’s decision in the first Test yesterday.
The 23-year-old scored 95 as New Zealand made a solid 226 for four on the opening day of the first of two Tests, before bad light stopped play about 70 minutes early.
Flynn’s relief at being given not out by umpire Amiesh Saheba after being rapped on the front pad by a ball from West Indies captain Chris Gayle turned to consternation when Gayle appealed to the third umpire for a review.
PHOTO: AP
Third umpire Rudi Koertzen used video replays to check the leg before wicket appeal before telling Saheba they showed Flynn was out.
This Test series is being used to trial a new rule where both fielding sides and batsmen can ask for a review of an umpire’s decision, although each team is limited to three unsuccessful review requests in each innings.
The dismissal was not the kind of history Flynn wanted to make after he made the most of his promotion up the order to No. 3, scoring his maiden Test 50 before falling frustratingly short of a century.
Playing just his eighth Test, Flynn survived the occasional bad shot to play the anchor role for New Zealand, hitting 12 fours in his 188 minute stay at the crease.
Jesse Ryder mixed careful defense and daring stroke play to remain undefeated on 54 at the end of the day, putting on 61 runs for the fourth wicket with Flynn.
Gayle’s dismissal of Flynn was his third wicket of the day and the languid off-spinner finished with figures of three for 42 off 20 overs.
The placid University Oval wicket did no favors for the West Indian bowlers, but some of the New Zealand batsmen were guilty of not taking full advantage by throwing their wickets away with poor shots.
Debutant opener Tim McIntosh played the early supporting role, recovering from a nervous start to reach 34 before falling shortly after the lunch break and ending an 87-run partnership with Flynn.
New Zealand’s opening partnership woes continued with the early dismissal of How with the total on 10.
Six overs into the afternoon session, McIntosh gave his wicket away too easily, mistiming an on-drive off Gayle to find Lionel Baker at mid-on. Gayle struck again eight overs later when the talented, but ill-disciplined, Ross Taylor skied an attempted sweep to Xavier Marshall at mid-wicket.
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