Cricket: Astle's bowling rewarded

HARARE - Nathan Astle has scooped his share of man-of-the-match awards, but he cannot remember one just for his bowling.

Astle led the New Zealand bowling effort with three for 24 off 10 overs in the tourists' seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international at Harare yesterday.

While he failed in his better-known role of opening the batting, New Zealand were well on top thanks to his effort with the ball.

While his effort did not top his career best of four for 43 against Pakistan four years ago, it was one of his better efforts in 110 one-day internationals.

"It's up there. I think it's the first time I've ever got man-of-the-match for my bowling," Astle said.

He sent down his share of overs during the two-match test series, won 2-0 by New Zealand, and was a key partnership-breaker. He said the long stints with the ball during the tests had benefited his bowling.

But he added that the team were still not 100 per cent fit after the marathon second test.

"Three days in the field was pretty hard work and I think everyone was knackered the day after, and even the day after that.

"It was good to come out here and get off to a 1-0 start, considering a few guys were a little bit tired."

Astle has not had his share of luck with the bat, being run out for 86 in the first test then having his stumps thrown down on 10 by Paul Strang yesterday.

But he felt a big innings was just around the corner.

"It was a good bit of fielding. I'm not feeling out of nick, I'm hitting the ball well, the confidence is fine, so it will just be a matter of time before I get a big one."

Roger Twose led the team yesterday when Stephen Fleming left the field early with a stomach upset.

He marshalled his largely inexperienced bowling attack well and guided the run chase with 70 not out as New Zealand reached the target of 184 with 9.1 overs to spare.

Twose and promoted No 3 Craig Spearman (86) added 152 off 178 balls for the third wicket, a record stand for any wicket against Zimbabwe.

It was a welcome return to form for Spearman, who also battled a side strain during his 144-minute stay.

"He has come a long way. He has always had the technical skills, but sometimes he'll score a pretty 40 or 50 then give it away," Twose said. "I was really pleased today. He showed some real mental discipline to get us through."

One-day specialist Twose reflected on his New Zealand captaincy debut with a good deal of satisfaction.

"We're really pleased. It was a professional performance throughout, given that almost half our top team were out," Twose said. "I think we showed some real depth."

New Zealand were without Fleming, Chris Cairns, Dion Nash, Geoff Allott and Daniel Vettori, all first-choice picks in the one-day side.

fxvartable 1 ZIMBABWEdipC. Wishart c Fleming b O'Connorlu7A. Campbell c Twose b O'Connorlu19S. Carlisle c Nevin b Astlelu31A. Flower c Nevin b Sulzbergerlu34G. Flower c McMillan b Astlelu3G. Whittall hit wkt b Astlelu10D. Viljoen run outlu0H. Streak lbw b Harrislu21P. Strang not outlu29B. Strang not outlu6Extras (3b, 9lb, 9w, 2nb)lu23 - eipTotal for 8 wkts, 50 overslu183eip

Fall: 1/34, 2/34, 3/91, 4/95, 5/118, 6/128, 7/128, 8/150.

Bowling: S. O'Connor 7-2-18-2, D. Tuffey 6-1-24-0, S. Syris 8-0-39-0, C. Harris 10-1-30-1, N. Astle 10-2-24-3, G. Sulzberger 9-0-36-1

NEW ZEALAND

C. Nevin c P. Strang b
B. Stranglu1N. Astle run out 10
C. Spearman c G. Flower b P. Strang 86
R. Twose not out 70
C. McMillan not out 7
Extras (4b, 3lb, 3w) 10 - Total for 3 wkts, 40.5 overs 184

Fall: 1/3, 2/14, 3/166

Bowling: H. Streak 8-0-38-0, B. Strang 7-2-15-1, M. Mbangwa 5-0-32-0, D. Viljoen 5-0-28-0, P. Strang 8-0-33-1, G. Flower 7.5-0-31-0.

- NZPA