Flynn works on countering spin

Daniel Flynn, the New Zealand batsman, has been working on playing spin ahead of the team's tour of Sri Lanka later this month. Flynn, who has not played Sri Lanka in any format of the game, is preparing to face the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath, by watching old videos of Stephen Fleming and Mark Richardson batting in a 172-run stand in Colombo in 2003.

"I've seen a bit of Fleming and Richardson but seeing it on TV compared to being out there facing it is a completely different story." Flynn said he aimed to play the spinners off the back foot but also wanted to avoid being caught at the crease. "Obviously you've got to try to read these guys from the hand but as a back-up watch it off the wicket."

Flynn's international experience in the subcontinent is limited to two Tests and three ODIs on the tour of Bangladesh last year. He scored 103 in three innings in the Tests, with no half-centuries, and 36 in the three ODIs.

Flynn said it was important to rotate the strike when playing spinners. "You don't want to be stuck down one end facing two overs of them because they've got so many variations that it gives them the opportunity to try them. Getting off strike is crucial."