Northern Districts legend Daniel Flynn has announced his retirement from domestic cricket.

The Plunket Shield captain finishes a 16-year career with Northern Districts in which he played 100 first-class matches and notched 20 first-class centuries; the most by any ND batsman.

Having progressed through the ND age-group system from Under-15 level, a 19-year-old Flynn made his ND debut in a List A match in December 2004, before making his first-class debut in January 2005 versus Otago at Harry Barker Reserve in Gisborne.

"ND won convincingly, but Daniel scored just two runs in his only innings," recalls Pat Malcon, ND selector and former director of cricket.

"The following season, against the same team, at the same venue, he scored his initial first-class century, which showed how fast he progressed at this level."

This progression extended into white-ball cricket, and 34-year old Flynn would eventually play 88 List A and a record 104 T20 matches for ND.

Consistent runs across formats saw Flynn earn international honours before long.

"Representing your country is the ultimate for any cricketer; it's what you dream of as a kid, so to have achieved it is something I look back on with immense satisfaction," said Flynn on his call-up to the BLACKCAPS.

Malcon believes that Flynn displayed his greatest qualities in his first Test series in England in 2008.

"Daniel batted for three hours in the second innings for 29 not out to help the BLACKCAPS draw the first Test, suffered an horrendous injury in the second Test before returning the very next Test to score 49.

"This epitomised Daniel's courage and determination; qualities that were evident throughout his career," said Malcon.

When reflecting on his career with ND, Flynn reserves special mention for those he played with.

"The people I've played alongside throughout my career stand out for me; they're not just good cricketers, but good people, who I've learned plenty from both on and off the field," said Flynn.

"Winning trophies for ND alongside these guys was always special, and those are memories that I will never forget."

Flynn would lead this group of players as captain in 47 first-class games and a further 25 white-ball matches.

"Daniel will definitely be remembered for his leadership skills, he was always respected by his players and the coaches he played under," Malcon said.

"He has carved a special place in ND's cricket history as a top player across all formats, an astute captain, and a great team man."

Flynn says he can't even begin to list all the people who have helped him in his career.

"First and foremost, I have to acknowledge my family; my wife has had to raise two young kids on her own throughout the last few summers and she's done a heck of a job," he said.

"After that, there are just too many other people to name who have helped me.

"At ND you come across a lot of good people willing to help you in any way they can, which is one of the best things about the organisation that has really stuck with me."

Northern Districts Cricket would like to acknowledge and thank Daniel Flynn for his many years of service to the Association. Northern Districts will appropriately and officially honour Flynn's contribution at a later date.

Daniel Flynn at-a-glance

First-class titles (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12

List A titles (3): 2004/05, 2008/09, 2009/10

Domestic T20 titles (2): 2013/14, 2017/18

Achievements

First-class

• Sixth-most first-class appearances for ND (100)
  

• Third-highest first-class score for ND (241)

• Second-most first-class runs for ND (6,265)

• Most first-class centuries for ND (20)

List A

• Second, fourth, sixth and tenth-highest List A scores for ND (149, 143, 135, 122*)

• Joint-second-most List A centuries for ND (5)

T20

• Most T20 appearances for ND (104)

• Second-most T20 half-centuries for ND (7)

• Second-most T20 runs for ND (1,778)

Captaincy

• Captain in 47 first-class fixtures

• Captain in 25 white-ball fixtures