Nathan John Astle
Nathan John Astle,(born 15 September 1971, Christchurch, New Zealand) is a former New Zealand cricketer. A right handed batsman who played as an opener in One Day Internationals (ODI), while batting in the middle order in Test matches. In a career that spanned 12 years, Astle played 81 Tests and 223 ODIs accumulating 4,702 and 7,090 runs respectively. As of 2013, he is New Zealand’s second-most prolific run scorer. Astle collected 154 wickets with his medium-paced bowling at the international level. He holds two records scoring the fastest double century in Test cricket and the second highest individual score in the fourth innings of a Test match. Both the records were achieved when he made 222 against England in Christchurch in 2002.
Astle has played County Cricket in England for Derbyshire, Durham and Nottinghamshire and for Canterbury in New Zealand. He was also a footballer who represented Rangers A.F.C. and good at Auto racing.
Early life and introduction to cricket:
Born in 1971 at Christchurch, Astle joined the East Christchurch-Shirley Cricket Club, a cricket club that would produce cricketers like Bruce Taylor, Craig McMillan and Michael Papps. He used to bat at number 6, and played as a batsman who could bowl medium pace. During the 199091 season, Astle was selected to play for “New Zealand Young Cricketers” against “England Young Cricketers”. Astle managed just 127 runs at an average of 31.75 in the three match series. The following year, Astle made his First-class debut for Canterbury against Central Districts. He hardly managed to score runs at the end of the first three seasons. During the 199495 season he aggregated 663 runs at an average of 55.25. He played three important innings during the season 96 against Auckland, 175 against Northern Districts and 191 against Wellington. Following impressive performances in the season, he was noticed by the New Zealand selectors.
Personal life:
Astle is based in Christchurch and is married to Kelly and has two children son Liam and daughter Alyssa. Astle and his wife Kelly run a childcare center for which he is the director. His sister, Lisa Astle, represented the New Zealand women’s team at the 1993 World Cup, and later married another first-class cricketer, Robbie Frew. Astle is not related to Todd Astle, the later New Zealand Test player, nor to Alec Astle, the Central Districts player of the late 1970s.
Career statistics:
Test
Matches: 81
Runs scored: 4702
100s/50s: 11/24
Top score: 222
ODI
Matches: 223
Runs scored: 7090
100s/50s: 16/41
Top score: 145*
