England v N Zealand, 2nd Test, Old Trafford, 2nd day

Neurosurgeon rules out concussion for Flynn

Cricinfo staff

May 24, 2008

	Daniel Flynn had his front tooth knocked out yesterday by James Anderson, and is unlikely to bat in New Zealand's first innings © Getty Images

Daniel Flynn, the young New Zealand batsman whose left front tooth was knocked out by a James Anderson bouncer yesterday, was not able to bat again in his side's first innings but has been cleared of concussion by a neurosurgeon.

Anderson's vicious bouncer reared up into Flynn's grill during the first day's play at Old Trafford, removing his tooth and forcing his retirement. The blow also cracked one of his lower teeth which was removed by dentists yesterday evening, and Flynn was said to have suffered a groggy and sleepness night of nausea and vomiting.

"Right from the start he wanted to go back out. It's the nature of the bloke, he's a very keen competitor and tough as old boots," Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand manager, said. "He's been quite nauseous and I think he's been vomiting, so in those circumstances we don't want him to go out there."

There had been rumours Flynn would continue his innings after lunch, but the nausea persisted into the afternoon, prompting a second visit to the hospital. "The plan changed a bit. We were hopeful [he would bat] and were waiting for his nausea to die down. But as he was getting himself ready to bat he started to feel nauseous again and after lunch we cancelled the plan for him to bat."

A second visit to the hospital to see a neurosurgeon ruled out concussion, but despite the positive prognosis, Crocker added that it was too early to confirm whether Flynn would play any further part in the game. New Zealand's 12th man, Jeetan Patel, deputised for him on the field this afternoon.

"He's back at the hotel and won't field," John Durning, a spokesman for the team, told reporters after Saturday's play. "Before he comes back he'll have to some gym work just to see how pressure affects him. If he's not right he won't bat. There's not any reason to suggest he won't be able to bat. But we thought we had him [ready] right before lunch but then he got a bit queasy."

"He's had a scan and that was all-clear and that's the main thing, so he's got no damage."

Anderson, Flynn's tormentor, remained relatively unsympathetic towards the batsman. "It's just one of those things," he said after the first day's play. "I'm trying to get him out and I want to make it as uncomfortable for him as possible. I've hit people on the head before but never had teeth to show for it."

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