Cricket: Astle out of series with broken hand

By Richard Boock

WELLINGTON - The New Zealand cricket team's leading century-maker, Nathan Astle, is out of the Indian series with a broken hand.

The Kiwi No 4 cracked the fourth metacarpal in his left hand as he fended offf a brute of a delivery from Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath during the second test at the Basin Reserve yesterday, and is expected to be out of action for up to four weeks.

Astle will bat today if needed as New Zealand chase 213 to win the second test, but will be replaced for the third test at Hamilton, and almost certainly for the following five one-day internationals against the tourists as well.

New Zealand manager John Graham said yesterday that Astle could bat today if required, but only with the aid of painkillers.

Astle, who has made centuries against the West Indies (twice), England and Zimbabwe, scored 56 in the first innings against India and is also a pivotal part of the Kiwi one-day side.

His replacement for Hamilton has not yet been announced, but it seems the selectors will choose between Wellington's Roger Twose, Canterbury's Chris
Harris and Northern Districts' Mark Bailey, although Central's Craig Spearman might stand an outside chance.

Twose has perhaps the best recent form, having scored 53 in the first round of the Shell Cup on Monday, a brace of 50s in the Conference series and another for New Zealand A against Pakistan A at Mt Maunganui.

The 30-year-old left-hander, who has played in eight tests, with a highest score of 94 against Zimbabwe and an average of 28.75 (including three 50s), has scored prolifically in first-class play, amassing more than 8650 runs at an average of just over 37, including 17 centuries and a highest score of 277 not out.

Harris has had more than twice the number of test batting opportunities for an average of 15.60 and a highest score of 71, but he has also been a heavy run-scorer in recent Shell Trophy seasons, as well as scoring a Conference century this summer.

A decision on Astle's replacement is expected today.