Black Caps spin battle heats up
The body isn’t getting any younger but Todd Astle is banking on his experience as he makes a late push for inclusion in the Black Caps’ World Cup squad.
Astle made a successful return to the Black Caps on Saturday, grabbing two wickets and more importantly working through 10 overs as he comes back from a knee injury.
‘‘It was great,’’ Astle said yesterday. ‘‘Coming back from a knee injury in the UAE, it was nice to be back and prove to myself again I could do it at that level in front of friends and family, and nice to get the win as well.’’
The 32-year-old has endured a frustrating summer after the injury ruled him out of the ODI and test series against Pakistan in November but the wisdom that comes with age has allowed him to show patience with his rehabilitation.
‘‘You’ve got to keep managing your loads,’’ Astle said.
‘‘For me I’ve been able to do that each week and building it up and knowing that when I get there I can do what I need to do and because it’s only 10 overs I know that’s the amount I can get through.
‘‘Whether it’s one or 10 overs, I’m ready to roll.
‘‘You just fall back on that experience of having played for a number of years so that when you are called upon you go out there and try to do the job as best you can.’’
Astle will get the chance to build on Saturday’s performance in the third ODI against Bangladesh in Dunedin tomorrow and with the series already won the game will be seen by many as a World Cup trial.
However, it was a case of ‘don’t mention the World Cup’ for Astle tomorrow and he played down the pressure of having to prove anything to coach Gary Stead.
‘‘There’s more excitement than anything,’’ Astle said.
‘‘The ethos is always team first so for me it’s just trying to go out there and do my best for the plans the guys have. ‘‘That’s a few months away in terms of the World Cup so we’re just trying to focus on what’s happening in front of us.
‘‘For us that’s just each game and now we’ve got this third game and hopefully we can win 3-0 and that would be a nice icing on the cake to that series.’’
Nonetheless the reality is that the World Cup clock is ticking and Astle will be keen to get more overs under his belt and perhaps grab a few runs if the Black Caps opt to invite a bit of pressure on their batsmen and bat first.
Astle said the Black Caps would get a grasp of conditions first but didn’t rule out that option after successfully chasing down Bangladesh in the first two ODIs
Astle also said paceman Trent Boult was likely to be somewhat sheepish after copping a $600 fine for swearing during Saturday’s win over Bangladesh.
‘‘I’m sure Boulty is apologetic about that,’’ Astle said. ‘‘We always try to be role models.’’