'A mental game'

Nathan Astle's 103 off 207 balls enabled New Zealand to save some face on the third day of the first Test between India and New Zealand, even if it didn't quite take New Zealand to safety. Here is what he had to say:

On his innings
Well, I was going to play my game, right from the morning, and I think I did that pretty well. I got out to a reckless shot. I had wanted to be more assertive, and I just picked the wrong ball to do it. Everybody in the New Zealand middle order plays shots, and I think we did that today. Craig McMillan took the pressure off me and played well, and we were able to keep the runs ticking along.

On the wicket
It is a good wicket, although the heat is getting to us a little bit. We have to keep up our water intake, and it has become a mental game more than anything else. The wicket is getting a little turn, and it will turn more as the game goes on. Zaheer Khan's footmarks are also creating a rough for the Indian spinners, so if we do have to follow on, that will help them quite a bit.

On being the first New Zealander since 1976-77 to score a Test century in India
Yes, actually I was aware of that. Before play started, we had a few facts put before us, and this was one of them. So it was actually good motivation.

On the Ahmedabad ground
It's always nice to come back to a ground with good memories. [Astle scored a World Cup century against England here in 1996.] It becomes easier to go out there and bat, your mind is at ease a lot more.

On New Zealand's strategy for the remainder of the game
Well, we're going to try to get to 300 first, and then maybe get a few more past it. If we do that, we'll be a lot happier. We'll have a shot at drawing this game, and can then go on to Mohali. If we are made to follow on, however, it will be tough to last two days.