Astle’s intimidating debut
Containing a red-hot Chris Gayle could be Todd Astle’s intimidating introduction to one-day international cricket.
The Canterbury legspinner is set for a long awaited Black Caps ODI debut against the West Indies at Whangarei’s Cobham Oval next Wednesday.
Despite regularly being one of the most effective wicket takers on the domestic scene, Astle’s New Zealand opportunities have been few and far between.
With fellow legspinner Ish Sodhi overlooked and left-arm tweaker Mitchell Santner out for the first match to recover from a shoulder issue, Astle gets his chance to impress during the three-match series.
He’s well aware his first task could be bowling to belligerent opener Gayle, who arrives in sparkling touch.
The charismatic Jamaican, who refers to himself as ‘‘Universe Boss’’, blasted a record 18 sixes in an unbeaten 146 off just 69 balls in the Bangladesh Twenty20 Premier League final yesterday.
That followed on from an unbeaten 126, including 14 sixes, in an eliminator, two matches earlier.
It’s no secret, the 38-year-old enjoys targeting spinners and will look to attack Astle on debut if he ends up facing him.
Rather than be daunted by the prospect, Astle would be trusting his processes and didn’t view Gayle any differently to any other batsman.
‘‘I think it’s still having that aggressive mindset to go, ‘I’m here to take wickets’. I’ll be doing my thing and trying to be proactive and one step ahead.’’
‘‘I know he’s a class player, but everyone in international cricket is. Whether it’s him or anyone in that [West Indies] team, it’s having those plans, then trying to stick to those.’’
Gaining his New Zealand oneday cap for the first time will be extra satisfying given Astle was robbed off a likely ODI debut in India in October after suffering a small groin tear.
It was a cruel blow after taking 4-22 for New Zealand A in a oneday match against India A. Former Indian batting great Rahul Dravid lavished praise on Astle, describing it as among the best legspin spells he’d seen in Indian conditions.
Astle was forced to watch Canterbury team-mates Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls hit the winning runs in the first ODI from the airport lounge in Mumbai, before making the lonely flight home to rehab.
He’s healthy again and happy with how the ball is coming out. While Canterbury lost their opening three Ford Trophy matches, Astle was a standout taking seven wickets at 20 with an economy rate of 4.66, while chipping in with knocks of 51 and 53.
He will play in Canterbury’s Twenty20 Super Smash opener against Otago at Hagley today before linking up with the Black Caps on Sunday.
Since making his test debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo in November 2012, Astle has been restricted to a test against Pakistan at Hagley last November and two T20s against Pakistan in January 2016.
Astle was barely spotted at the bowling crease during the Pakistan test and T20s, sending down eight overs all up.
Getting through a decent workload against the West Indies was a key aim as he attempts to make an impact in the international ranks and prove he belongs.
‘‘It would be great to bowl the 10 [each match] and get involved and do well. That will look after itself. I’m not looking too far down the line in terms of games.
‘‘A couple of wickets would certainly be a great Christmas present.’’
Playing at his Hagley home ground on December 23 and 26 against the Windies would be just as sweet.
He’ll have wife, Rachel, and son, Flynn (18 months) in the stand, while many of his Old Boys Collegians club mates are likely to be reclining on the bank on Boxing Day digesting their Christmas lunch.
‘‘For me, I’m really chuffed to get out there for the one-dayers. It’s a format I love playing.’’
Chris Gayle may as well be wearing a santa suit when he touches down, for the avalanche of Christmas cheer he’s bringing New Zealand Cricket.
World Boss will swagger into Whangarei in the next few days at just the right time for his struggling West Indies team, and more importantly, NZC’s balance sheet.
It wouldn’t be excessive for David White to dispatch staffers to the airport to unfurl the red carpet, issue gifts and keys to the presidential suite (if one exists in Whangarei) and find some cash or a sponsor to sign Gayle for a Twenty20 Super Smash cameo in the New Year.
As the biggest box office drawcard in world cricket, Gayle’s presence can’t be milked enough. More so after his Bangladesh Premier League demolition in Dhaka where he hit 18 sixes and reduced Brendon McCullum to mere onlooker, blasting his 20th T20 century: 146 not out off 69 balls.
Still got it, at age 38, and still as modest as ever. Asked if he considered himself T20’s version of the great Don Bradman, he said: ‘‘No, I am actually the greatest batsman of all time.’’ This tour needs him on the park. After two one-sided, poorlyattended tests, NZC now has three ODIs and three T20s against West Indies to promote, starting next Wednesday, to kick off a marathon run of 23 home limited overs matches. It’s a hard sell before England arrive in February.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson is excusing Kane Williamson and Tim Southee for games two and three in Christchurch which shows where this ODI series ranks. There are power-hitting or fast-bowling drawcards in black like Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne but a one-sided series benefits no one.
Most New Zealand cricket fans would have struggled to name a topsix West Indies batsman in the test squad. At least with Gayle and his protege Evin Lewis of similar ilk at the top there’s some fizz and clout, and people will pay to watch.
As nightspot owners, glaziers and orange T-shirt wearers in Whangarei, Christchurch, Nelson and Tauranga rub their hands at Gayle’s impending arrival, NZC must try to prolong his stay.
Its T20 Super Smash sprang into life with minimal fanfare and no TV coverage yesterday. Canterbury’s Ben Stokes is by far the biggest import but only by accident and convenience, in a competition designed for peak holiday crowds but missing the stars playing for the Black Caps or in Australia’s Big Bash.
Central Stags certainly want Gayle for their final five matches, after his West Indies commitments end on January 3, but like every other major association they’re cash strapped and propped up by NZC. Pleas by the Stags to potential benefactors or generous sponsors to assist haven’t yet sealed the deal - and we’re probably talking in the $25,000 vicinity for a Gayle capture for half a competition.
He could play three matches at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park, and also grace Invercargill, Wellington and potentially the finals series.
NZC leaves the signing of T20 imports up to each major association who are allowed two each. NZC doesn’t pay but it rubber stamps them, only to ensure they’re of a certain standard to avoid an influx of journeymen.
Gayle’s pulling power speaks for itself. If he’s available for a two-week jaunt around New Zealand after January 3, NZC should be doing all it can to secure the ultimate promo for its domestic competition. Very rarely does such cricketing box office gold fall from the sky.