Astle’s luck spins around
For a bloke who bowled Canterbury to three Plunket Shield titles in four years and won all three tests he’s played, Todd Astle sure has to do a lot to convince some people. Astle will return as New Zealand’s solitary spinner in the first test against Bangladesh in Hamilton on Thursday, and looks increasingly certain to go to the Cricket World Cup ahead of Ish Sodhi.
The latter selection will be contentious, and draw howls of protest from the many Sodhi supporters. It’s a worthy debate, the toughest the selection panel faces, but has more to do with concerns over Sodhi’s form, confidence and consistency outside Twenty20 cricket.
If the risk outweighs the potential reward with their T20 matchwinner, in an even ODI selection race the safer option who bats and fields better will get the nod. In nine ODIs Astle averages 24.6 at an economy rate of 5.46; while Sodhi in 30 ODIs averages 35.8 with an ER of
5.53. With no more 50-over cricket it looks case closed.
Describing Astle as simply ‘safe’ seems unfair, though, and Black Caps coach Gary
Stead knows that as well as anyone from their time at Canterbury.
Back to red ball cricket. In Canterbury’s three Plunket Shield titles in 2014, 2015 and 2017, Astle was second, second and fifth on the wicket charts. He went into Canterbury’s match against Central Districts at Rangiora on 288 wickets, two behind the province’s recordholder Mark Priest.
But what has Astle done at international level?
As much as can be expected with limited chances, struck down by injury at two of the worst times – after playing the pink ball test against England at Auckland, and on the eve of what turned out to be a memorable 2-1 test series victory over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
In his three tests he’s bowled 51.1 overs. Handed a surprise debut by former coach Mike Hesson in Colombo in 2012, Astle played a back seat role to Tim Southee and Trent Boult who produced a swing bowling masterclass.
In Christchurch against Pakistan in November, 2016, he bowled four overs on a greentop. In the day-nighter against England 11 months ago he took 3-39 off 16.1 overs including the winning wicket. He then suffered a side strain and missed the series-clinching draw on his home ground.
As Ajaz Patel, himself the Plunket Shield’s leading wicket-taker for the past three seasons, seized his chance so well in spin-friendly conditions in the UAE, Astle moved from the head of the spin queue back to Christchurch nursing a knee injury. Offspinner Will Somerville then got his own dream seven-wicket debut in the decider in Abu Dhabi, another wonderful cricketing story from virtually nowhere.
So it remains difficult to judge Astle on the test opportunities he’s had so far. Patel returned and bowled through two wicketless tests against Sri Lanka, showing how unforgiving it is for a New Zealand spinner at home.
Said co-selector Gavin Larsen of Astle: ‘‘We think Todd has a hell of a lot to offer in test match cricket. He was a big part of our plans and had a couple of really unfortunate injuries. It’s great to have him back.’’
Larsen and Stead’s view was that Astle offers a more attacking option with his legspin and effective wrong-un. How much of a chance he gets to show his wares depends on captain Kane Williamson’s use of spin which hasn’t always been daring. It also depends a lot on the pitches in Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch which are getting late in the season but still more likely to be prepared as pace-friendly, given Bangladesh’s struggles against seam and bounce.
At 32 Astle still has a few years left, with injuries now rearing their head. He deserves this opportunity, and a decent run in Sri Lanka for their next test tour in August, just to prove he can be effective at that next level when conditions suit. And maybe avert a few unfair eye-rolls next time his name is read out.