Ranking Nathan Astle’s Top 3 Performances in Test Cricket

Nathan Astle was known for his aggressive batting and handy medium-pace bowling which has helped New Zealand to many victories in Tests and ODIs. His fielding prowess was also impressive, especially in the slip cordon, making him a complete package as a cricketer.

Born on September 15, 1971, in Canterbury, Astle has represented the Black Caps in 81 Tests, 223 ODIs and  4 T20Is. He has accumulated 4702 runs in the longer format of the game with the help of 11 centuries, one double hundred and 24 half-centuries. As the former Kiwi all-rounder celebrates his 53^rd birthday, let’s take a look at his best performances in Test cricket.

Here are Nathan Astle’s top 3 performances in Tests:

1. 125(150) vs West Indies, Bridgetown, 1996

New Zealand suffered a 10-wicket defeat against West Indies in the opening Test of the 1996 series. However, Nathan Astle’s warrior knock in the second innings did not go unnoticed. Opener Sherwin Campbell’s double hundred helped the Windies take a huge first innings lead. Apart from Astle’s 125, there was little contribution from the Kiwi batters. They could set a target of just 29 and the hosts comfortably chased it down.

 2. 156*(275) vs Australia, Perth, 2001

New Zealand crushed Australia in the first innings of the third Test of the 2001 series, amassing a massive score of 534/9 before declaring.  Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle and Adam Parore scored centuries. Astle top scored with 156 runs off 275 balls. Australia’s reply ended with 351 runs. The Black Caps added 256 more runs in the second innings and set a target of 440 runs. The match, however, ended in a draw as the Kiwi pacers failed to pick up the last three wickets of the Aussies.

3. 222(168) vs England, Christchurch, 2002

New Zealand had to chase down an improbable 550 runs for victory against England in the first Test of the 2002 series. Losing two early wickets prevented the hosts from getting off to a good start. However, Astle stood like a rock and went on to smash his double century in just 153 balls. This is still the record for the fastest 200 in Test cricket. He was also involved in a 118-run partnership with Chris Cairns for the 10th wicket. However, his 222-run knock went in vain as England won by 98 runs.

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