Nathan Astle

Nathan Astle crafted a superb century to take New Zealand 276 as West Indies lost a thriller by 21 runs

A total of 288 for 9 proved more than enough for New Zealand as they completed a 81-run win over West Indies at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington

Nathan Astle, dropped from the New Zealand squad for the remaining two matches of a five-match series against Sri Lanka, was told that the controversial move was in keeping with the side's `long-term planning'

Nathan Astle has been dropped from the squad for the final two ODIs against Sri Lanka, in spite of his matchwinning innings at Christchurch

New Zealand's year got off to a false start with the postponement of the Sri Lankan tour following the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami

A summary of the first round State Shield matches

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, has pulled out of the opening one-day international against Sri Lanka following the birth of his first child

Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan were the two biggest casualties as New Zealand's selectors made widespread changes for the one-day series against Sri Lanka

Lou Vincent will open the innings in the first ODI against Australia at Auckland on December 3

Offering his services to a top order notorious for its top order woes, Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand spinner, says that he is ready to open the innings in the one-day format of the game

More than anything else, Astle has been a matchwinner for New Zealand: he averages 55.46 in victories, and just 21.60 in defeats

New Zealand will step onto Sahara Stadium, Durban with the five-match series already settled in the favour of South Africa, who took an unassailable 3-0 lead with victory in Port Elizabeth on Monday

Tomorrow's one-day international at Durban between New Zealand and South Africa will mark the 200th one-day match of Nathan Astle, the New Zealand batsman

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, has openly backed Nathan Astle to play in the remaining two one-days against South Africa, despite the batsman averaging just 5.00 on tour thus far

Those unable to accept India's steep fall from grace as a one-day outfit will not doubt hunt for scapegoats in the aftermath of this latest demoralising defeat

Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have set their sights on Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle for the two-Test series against New Zealand

Nathan Astle likely to be fit for Brisbane test

Zimbabwe lost by 27 runs to New Zealand, but did at least show a little more fight.

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, has expressed doubts over India's preperation for the opening game of the Videocon Cup at Bulawayo