Cricket: Astle back in frame

Black Cap Nathan Astle on his way to an unbeaten 90 in the second one-day international against Sri Lanka at Christchurch. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Nathan Astle's shock axing from the Black Caps has again proved to be short-lived as he was called back as cover for Stephen Fleming yesterday.

Fleming strained a groin in his first match back for the Black Caps since the birth of his daughter, Tayla, at Wellington on Friday night.

Astle was originally dropped for the Sri Lankan series, then recalled when Fleming went on paternity leave. He was left out again, despite scoring 90 not out during the third ODI at Christchurch.

Fleming's chances of playing today were difficult to assess but, if he is in charge of the side, he said he would not compromise the chance of a 5-0 clean sweep in the name of World Cup preparation.

But there's a suggestion that New Zealand should bat first today, to develop their ability to set totals.

Until Friday night in Wellington, New Zealand had not won the toss and chosen to bat in home conditions since Pakistan toured in the early part of the 2003-04 season.

They have made no secret of the fact they are more comfortable chasing than setting and that was obvious on Friday as they stuttered to 224.

Today, though, will be all about winning. Development comes later.

"I don't buy into the World Cup talk yet. It's game by game from a captaincy point of view because our careers are on the line each time we go out there," Fleming said.

"In 80 per cent of the games in New Zealand you get an advantage bowling first. With our conditions, technically you're stupid to go past that but we do acknowledge there is a need to develop our game.

"What we've got to be careful of is that we don't compromise the winning ethos.

"We've got to be careful we don't get too funky. We're not good enough to do that. We'll assess the Napier pitch. If it's 50-50 we'll probably lean towards batting to try to get that side of things going but by no means will we compromise an opportunity to win 5-0."

Fleming conceded New Zealand's efforts in setting a competitive total at the Cake Tin had been "pretty poor", but they had been rescued by their bowlers.

"I think it highlighted where we're not quite right in setting a target. We tend to play a game that's perhaps too high-risk.

"I won't say we'll have another go at it in Napier because the conditions might suit us bowling first but when we come around to do it again we'll be better for it."

Some New Zealand batsmen might relish the opportunity to bat without the pressure of a chase in order to shore up a spot for next month's West Indies series.

With Hamish Marshall's return to form on Friday, Jamie How is probably under the most pressure. He started so competently at Queenstown but has perished to poorly-conceived shots in the past two matches.

Marshall will also want to find consistency. One half-century in 14 innings does not make for pretty reading.

"It's been a while," he said of Friday's 50. "Since the Australian series... I've began to feel a lot more confident and a lot more balanced at the crease."

While John Bracewell has used his fielding as a basis for reselection, Marshall is under no illusions. "It probably helps but first and foremost I need to bat."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY