Cricket: Astle bursts back into form with ton

JOHANNESBURG - New Zealand's one-day cricket side is just not the same without an in-form Nathan Astle.

So with the six-match one-day series against the might of South Africa just around the corner, the 29-year-old Astle was set on doing something about it yesterday.

He went on to carve the Gauteng bowling attack to all parts of the Soweto Oval in his innings of 137 from 168 balls, including 12 fours and two towering sixes over long-on.

It led New Zealand to 296 for six, largely thanks to a second-wicket stand of 185 with captain Stephen Fleming, who also made a timely return to form with 82 off 104 balls.

After a tidy spin duo display from newcomer Brooke Walker, who took four for 33, and Paul Wiseman, who was unlucky not to do better than one for 32, New Zealand completed a comfortable, 79-run win.

Astle's indifferent form had coincided with the team's ICC Knockout Trophy win last week in Nairobi, although there were glimpses of a revival starting to show.

Since his 104 against Australia in Napier in March, his eighth one-day hundred, Astle's scores had been 12, 15, 5, 10, 12, 35 and 0 before a 49 and 37 in the semifinal and final last week.

"It wasn't getting me down, it was just annoying," Astle said. "I was that close, I just needed to get a start and spend some time in the middle. My balance wasn't quite right and that's what I worked on."

Astle's and Fleming's returns yesterday would have eased one of the biggest headaches for the team going into the series.

New Zealand play South Africa in Potchefstroom early tomorrow (NZ time), a 90-minute road trip from Johannesburg, before the second game in Benoni on Monday.

Astle, who knows the South African bowlers well, said the innings yesterday was just the tonic he needed.

"There will be no worries confidence-wise. If I had got nought there probably would have been," he said.

A hallmark of Astle's innings yesterday was the more patient style he adopted. A trend of his recent dismissals was being caught in the covers from uppish drives in the early overs.

"I've probably toned down a little bit. I look at it as my job to bat through the 50 overs and if I do that then we'll have a good total," he said.

Fleming had also maintained that he was just around the corner from cracking a big score, despite not having passed 50 on tour.

For tomorrow's match, New Zealand, injuries permitting, could retain the same side who won the ICC final, including allrounder Chris Cairns.

South Africa will be without pace bowler Roger Telemachus, who was suspended for one match after clashing with Indian captain Sourav Ganguly during their ICC Knockout Trophy semifinal.

But the South Africans are still a formidable side and will have two of their star players bringing up milestones. Fast bowler Allan Donald turns 34, while allrounder Lance Klusener will play his 100th one-day international.

New Zealand (likely 12): Stephen Fleming (captain), Craig Spearman, Nathan Astle, Roger Twose, Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Scott Styris, Paul Wiseman, Shayne O'Connor, Geoff Allott.

South Africa (from): Shaun Pollock (captain), Andrew Hall, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Boeta Dippenaar, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini.

- NZPA

* The match will be shown live on Sky Sport, starting at 1.25 am tomorrow.