Astle ends first-class career

Nathan Astle, the former New Zealand batsman, has quit first-class cricket after he had himself excluded from the list of 12 contracted players for Canterbury this season. Astle retired from international cricket six weeks before the World Cup, citing lack of motivation.

"It would have been fantastic for Canterbury Cricket to have Nathan playing this season," Richard Reid, the Canterbury chief executive, told NZPA. "But we respect his decision to retire and wish him and him family the best for the future."

Dave Nosworthy, the Canterbury coach, said that Astle gave his decision plenty of thought before pulling out. "For us to push and pressurise him would be pointless," Nosworthy was quoted in stuff.co.nz. "You don't want a guy playing who's not motivated, so I left it up to him and made it clear we would love him in the side, but at the same time he's got to make the call."

Astle's place has been filled by a South African, Johannes Myburgh, a promising top-order batsman who also bowls offbreaks. Myburgh, who also plays for South African domestic side Titans, has a first-class batting average of nearly 42, with six hundreds and 17 fifties.

"He wanted to come across and play and represent New Zealand in the long run," said Nosworthy. "He's a top-order batter so he gives us a few options bearing in mind we might lose [Craig] McMillan and [Michael] Papps from our top order to the Black Caps [New Zealand] somewhere along the line next season."

Myburgh, who will emigrate to New Zealand in October needs to play three seasons in order to qualify for New Zealand.