Related Links

A special feature by Karthik Narayan (June 24, 2005)

Cricket has seen many a gum chewing, number crunching, teeth gnashing and bowler bashing batsmen, but sadly not many from New Zealand, the land where the sun smiles first in this world. But hold it – a new star had set foot with heart gladdening match winning and crowd stunning batting. A clean as a whistle hitter – a hatter named Nathan John Astle!

New Zealand cricket has always been shining on the glory of the little players, not superstars in the big stage, but cricketers who know their limitations and play to their strengths. These are the simple, hard working guys who do their job without much to think. That’s the real secret of New Zealand’s success in cricket.

Life started spinning for Nathan Astle in International cricket, a decade ago, when he made his ODI debut against the West Indies in 1994-95 at Auckland. His test debut came a season later against Zimbabwe in the home series at Hamilton.

When the ferris wheel spun across and stopped at the sign Jackpot, the Kiwis knew they had indeed struck upon Nathan Astle as their opening batsman for many seasons to come. And everytime one came across this cricketer of exceptional cricketing abilities, really, the festal festoons were drawn in the land of the Kiwis.

At one stage, a stopgap was found in the New Zealand camp with the seniors on the verge of retirement, and things needed to be shuffled into order. In came Nathan Astle, and voila! The perfect foil was found and it was time for bringing in the festivities of life!

He was going to become much more than an average cricketer in the field; his stars had much more in store for him – from scratching around, the runs came sprouting and soon Nathan Astle was in the top order. His immediate success was seen in the 1996 world cup when the concept of the first 15 overs really started making a lot of difference with Sri Lanka and New Zealand capitalizing the most. Astle emulated Mark Greatbatch who had done a similar feat in the previous edition 1992 world cup. Astle had become a runaway success with good centuries, and steadfast runs at good pace and nippy strokes.

He was middling the ball only too well that New Zealand have put him at the top ever since he set foot there. Fitness was always going to be the crucial point for Astle and he has managed to stay in good shape except for the odd injury in the last couple of years.

This natural stroke maker has always a gum in his mouth and a something to say with his bat. And the bat does all the talking. Astle has 6000 plus ODI runs with 14 centuries and 36 half centuries at an average of 35. while he has been mainly a ODI opener, he slumped down the order in the test matches. Currently, he plays in the middle order for New Zealand. Among all his 3900 plus test runs laced with nine tons, one innings shall rank the best by far and wide!

“Magnificent” and “astounding” were two understated words as Nathan Astle strode and brushed aside all the great names of the game with a smashing, hell-broke-free innings against England at his hometown of Christchurch in 2001-02, barely a fortnight after Gilchrist had broken the world record for the fastest double ton. Nathan’s double ton and highest score of 222 came off a mere 168 balls and the double ton came off a mere 153 balls. He pounded the English attack to pieces and put them in more than a spot of bother. While he was there, an impossible Herculean task seemed so much so near! That innings was by far the best ever amongst the TOP DRAW!

That innings was so good for the nature of strokes – fast bowler, slow bowler no matter! He slammed 11 sixers and 28 boundaries effortlessly and the runs came at a blinding pace. Caddick bore the brunt of his brutal attack as his last 3 overs went for 45 runs! Hoggard was no better – 62 in 21 balls! Runs were amassed in a flurry – from 100 off 114 balls, the next 39 balls produced the next century!

A sheer delight even in the test arena, this maverick cricketer can also bowl is dibbly dobblies now and then with the straight approach of stump to stump and he has broken through many a partnership at the right times for New Zealand.

His sister has also played for New Zealand women cricket, and that makes them an unique pair of brother sister playing international cricket for their country. Sadly, Astle has always been seen in his contemporary carefree approach to the game that he hasn’t really been though of as Kiwi Skipper at even any point of his career thus far.

Ever since the good old days of yore in New Zealand, there has been a sea of change in Kiwi cricket, as the newcomers shined along and together brought about something unheard of thus far – a Star to shine down and for the kids to buy stickers of and play trump cards. The ultimate trump card of the Kiwi game is verily Nathan Astle. We all look forward to him to stamp his seal on his rightful throne as the Black Caps’ Heir Apparent and Supreme Commanding Batter for the seasons to follow!
 

 

Top of the Page