KEY POINTS:
Lack of enjoyment and motivation are the major factors behind Nathan Astle's decision to retire from international cricket, he said today.
Astle rocked his New Zealand cricket teammates in Perth, calling time on his glittering 12-season international career.
The veteran allrounder said he came to the decision just two days before the match against England in Adelaide on Tuesday, having consulted close friends and family.
"Just the enjoyment and motivation (are missing), it's been something I've been fighting with for about the last eight months," Astle said.
"I was very close to not coming here but I really wanted to give it one last crack and see if I could find that.
"At this level you've got to have that motivation and for me the enjoyment side is huge, and it's not there any more."
Astle, 35, announced his retirement from international cricket at a press conference at the team's Perth hotel, seated alongside captain Stephen Fleming and coach John Bracewell.
He only informed his teammates after the Adelaide match, with Bracewell saying it came out of the blue.
It comes two days before the Black Caps were to play Australia here in the tri-series - and just six weeks before the start of the World Cup, which would have been Astle's fourth.
"It was a bit of a shock to all of us and quite disruptive to our plans but I respect his decision," Bracewell said.
"Timing's never great this close to a big tournament and Nathan was going to be a serious part of that because of his experience and the younger players he was assisting to mentor.
"You can't buy that."
Astle is yet to decide whether he will continue at provincial level with Canterbury.
Astle, New Zealand's most prolific one-day cricket centurymaker with 16, hasn't hit his straps in the tri-series as the New Zealand top-order struggled.
He scored nought and 45 in Hobart, nought against Australia in Sydney and one in their first win against England in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Auckland batsman Lou Vincent is already bound for Perth to replace Astle in the tri-series squad.
Astle made his one-day international debut against the West Indies in 1994-95 as a middle order batsman and medium pace bowler, before transforming into New Zealand's most successful one-day opener.
He scored the last of his 16 centuries against the West Indies in Queenstown just over a year ago.
Last season was a tough one for Astle, who was dropped by Bracewell, but fought back to be seemingly at the forefront of his World Cup plans.
He departs as the second-highest New Zealand ODI runscorer behind Fleming, with 7090 runs at 34.92.
His 223 matches make him the third-most capped New Zealand ODI player behind Fleming's 262 and Chris Harris' 250.
He's also left stranded on 99 career wickets, just missing the chance to become the 13th New Zealander to take 100 victims with wicketless spells in the first three tri-series matches.
Astle also played 81 tests, scoring 4702 runs at 37.02, including 11 centuries.
Career statistics
Born: September 15, 1971, Christchurch
One-day Internationals:
Debut: 1994-95 v West Indies, Auckland
Matches: 223
Runs: 7090 at 34.92
Strike rate: 72.62
Highest score: 145 not out v United States, The Oval, 2004
Wickets: 99 at 38.47
Economy rate: 4.71
Best bowling: 4-43 v Pakistan, Mohali, 1996-97
Catches: 83
* Most centuries by a NZ ODI batsman, 10 more than second-placed Stephen Fleming.
* Second highest NZ ODI runscorer, behind Fleming's 7411.
* Third most ODI appearances for NZ, behind Fleming's 262 and Chris Harris' 250.
* Thirteenth highest ODI wicket-taker for NZ.
Tests:
Debut: 1995-96 v Zimbabwe, Hamilton.
Matches: 81
Runs: 4702 at 37.02.
50s: 24
100s: 11
Highest score: 222 v England, Christchurch, 2001-02.
Wickets: 51 at 42.01
Best bowling: 3-27 v Sri Lanka, Wellington, 2004-05
Catches: 70
- NZPA
