Astle expects close scrutiny
Todd Astle has no doubt the West Indies will park up in front of a television and re-live his ODI debut before Saturday’s second match in Christchurch.
It certainly won’t be to celebrate the 31-year-old’s performance, but rather to take a closer look at the wrist-spinner’s release.
Astle took 3-33 from 10 overs in New Zealand’s five-wicket win in Whangarei on Wednesday, and on Thursday admitted his unknown factor may have given him an edge.
All three of the Cantabrian’s scalps were the result of wrong ‘uns, including opener Evin Lewis (LBW) for 76.
Canterbury fans will have known Astle regularly rolls out wrong ‘uns, but the West Indies, and probably many Kiwis, may well have been surprised by the frequency and effectiveness of the delivery which spins into a righthander.
‘‘Any little bit of doubt you can create, that’s what I’m trying to bring with bowling those variations and wrong ‘uns,’’ Astle said after touching down in Christchurch on Thursday afternoon.
‘‘You’re only going to be unknown for a certain period of time. There will now be lots of video footage, so it’s just trying to stay one step ahead.’’
Astle is expected to play again at Hagley Oval on Saturday, when the Black Caps attempt to seal the threematch series before the final match on Boxing Day, also at Hagley.
It will give him the chance to play in front of friends and family, many of whom he had received text messages from when he walked off Cobham Oval and checked his phone.
‘‘There was some really nice messages of support . . . it was nice to get that on the back of having waited for a number of years to wait for my ODI debut, and to do it in such fashion was special,’’ Astle said.
‘‘[Canterbury coach] Gary Stead was one, yep. Pretty short and sharp: ‘Well done, mate, good on ya’.’’
Astle’s Canterbury teammate Tom Latham will captain the Black Caps on Saturday and Tuesday while regular skipper Kane Williamson takes a break.
Williamson addressed the team, which will also be without seamer Tim Southee, before they flew to the Garden City.
‘‘That’s pretty much what he was saying, make those little gains so each time we’re going out there we’re giving ourselves the best chance of doing well,’’ Astle said.