Nathan Astle is a former Cricketer of New Zealand. He is one of the finest opening batter of his country. Astle was born in Christchurch on September 15, 1971. In 1995 he made his debut for Newzealand national team.
In his entire cricket career, Astle played 223 ODI and 81 Tests for Newzealand.
Nathan Astle Test Career
- In 1996 against Zimbabwe Astle made his Test debut. Despite being quite talented, he could not make a mark at the beginning of his career. But gradually, he started performing well.
- On 19th April 1996 against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Astle played a brilliant knock of 125 runs, this was his maiden test century. Seven days later he scored another hundred against same opposition.
- In his entire test career Nathan Astle scored a total of 4702 runs of 81 Tests at an average of 37.02 with 11 centuries and 24 half centuries.
| FORMAT | TEST |
| MATCH | 81 |
| RUNS | 4702 |
| BATTING AVERAGE | 37.02 |
| HIGHEST | 222 |
| 100/50 | 11/24 |
| WICKETS | 51 |
| BOWLING AVERAGE | 42.01 |
| 5 WICKETS | 0 |
| BEST BOWLING INNINGS | 3/27 |
Memorable Performance in Test (Nathan Astle 222)
- One of best innings of Astle’s Test career came in the first Test against England in Christchurch, in March 2002.
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- In the second innings of the match chasing a target of 550, he scored 222 runs off just 168 balls, at a strike rate of 132.14. During this brilliant knock he hit 28 fours and 11 sixes.
Nathan Astle ODI & T20I Career
- Astle played his first ODI match in 1995, against West Indies. He scored his first ODI century against India. In this match Asle made 114 runs off 128 balls and help their team to win the match.
- In his ODI career Astle played 223 matches for Newzealand and scored 7090 runs at an average of 34.92. He scored 16 hundreds and 41 fifties in his entire ODI career.
Astle also played 4 T20I matches for his country.
| FORMAT | ODI | T20I |
| MATCH | 223 | 4 |
| RUNS | 7090 | 74 |
| BATTING AVERAGE | 34.92 | 24.66 |
| HIGHEST | 145* | 40* |
| 100/50 | 16/41 | 00 |
| WICKETS | 99 | 4 |
| BOWLING AVERAGE | 38.47 | 12.50 |
| 5 WICKETS | 0 | 0 |
| BEST BOWLING INNINGS | 4/43 | 3/20 |
Memorable Performance in ODI
- In 28th February 2001 Astle scored an blistering century against Pakistan at Dunedin. Chasing a tough target of 286 he made 119 runs off 116 balls and won the match for his country.
- In 2002 Wisden included this knock as one of the top 100 ODI innings of all time.
Nathan Astle Retirement from Cricket
- On 23rd January 2007 Astle played his last international match against England. In his last innings he made 1 run of 8 balls.
- On 26th January 2007 he officially announced his retirement from International Cricket.
4 Interesting Facts about Nathan Astle
1. During his epic test knock of 222 runs against England Astle hit 11 sixes. It was the second most number of sixes in an innings of a test match.
2. In a test match against Australia at Perth Astle added 253 runs in a partnership with Adam Parore for the 8th Wicket.
3. Astle made nine 90 plus scores in his ODI career.
4. Three times (in 1995, 1996 & 2002) Astle was named “Player of the Year” by the New Zealand Cricket Almanack.
Lesser Known Facts about Nathan Astle
1. Astle also played football for Rangers AFC club in Christchurch.
2. In 2009 Astle was appointed as head coach B.W.C University Cricket Club Christchurch.
3. In 2010 Astle also took part in auto racing.
Conclusion
Nathan Astle was one of the most dynamic and gifted cricketer of Newzealand. Truly he is one of the greats of Newzealand cricket.