Daniel Flynn crafted a career best 241 to lead the Northern Knights to an imposing 559 for nine declared in their Plunket Shield match against the Otago Volts in Hamilton.
The 25-year-old lifted his season's aggregate to 609 runs at an average of 67.66 as Northern earned a first innings lead of 170 runs at Seddon Park before Otago progressed to 93 for three in their second innings by the close of the third day in the penultimate round of fixtures.
Flynn's monumental effort, which spanned 406 minutes after he first arrived at the crease yesterday, was a statement of intent as he searches for the consistency and weight of runs required to earn him a recall to the national side after being ignored since the last of his 16 tests in late 2009.
Previously noted for his steady, unhurried accumulation of runs, Flynn revealed a more fluent nature today after resuming on 104 with Northern at a powerful 213 for two in pursuit of Otago's opening effort of 389.
He went on to convert his eighth first-class century into his maiden double century and by the time he was finally dismissed, to a false stroke against fast bowler Ian Butler, Flynn had belted 27 fours and nine sixes from just 253 balls faced.
After nightwatchman Trent Boult added 44 runs to reach 46 before being bowled by Aaron Redmond, Flynn collaborated in a vigorous fourth wicket stand of 183 runs with Hamish Marshall, who produced a perky 82 off 68 balls before Peter McGlashan added a rapid 43 off 30 to rub Otago's noses in it.
Flynn was not the only batsman to prosper today as Wellington pair Stephen Murdoch and Neal Parlane both posted centuries to ensure their side bagged first innings points over Central at the Basin Reserve in the capital.
Murdoch, on 88 overnight with Wellington at 180 for three responding to Central's 337 for nine declared, duly ticked off his second first-class century and went on to reach 141 before Parlane dominated the remainder of the innings with 130 not out over 403 minutes.
Harry Boam was the next topscorer with 29 as Wellington rode the dual centuries all the way to 445 despite the best efforts of young legspinner Tarun Nethula, who worked hard through 49.1 overs for his return of six for 169.
Opener Peter Ingram then backed up his first innings century to reach 58 by stumps with Central on 88 for one after losing George Worker for a first ball duck.
Elsewhere, the match between competition stragglers Auckland and Canterbury is in favour of the southerners.
Shanan Stewart scored 65 for the Canterbury Wizards as ended the day at Auckland's Colin Maiden Park on 166 for five in their second innings, leading overall by 223 runs.
Earlier, the Auckland Aces could not kick on from their overnight 175 for four as their last six wickets tumbled for only 78 runs
as Matt Henry claimed three for 41 and Todd Astle three for 83.
NZPA
