Harris likely to replace Astle for third test (30 December 1998)
Canterbury's Chris Harris could be the batting replacement for the injured Nathan Astle for the final test against India in Hamilton
30-Dec-1998
30 December 1998
Harris likely to replace Astle for third test
The Christchurch Press
Canterbury's Chris Harris could be the batting replacement for the
injured Nathan Astle for the final test against India in Hamilton.
Astle is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks after
fracturing a metacarpal bone on the back of his left hand after being
hit there by a rising delivery yesterday from Indian medium-fast
bowler Javagal Srinath.
While Astle can bat today on the final day of the second test if
required, he will need a pain-killer to take the crease, said team
manager John Graham.
Astle's loss is significant, especially in the make-up of the side
for the five-match one-day series to follow, where he would have been
such an integral component opening the batting. But his absence could
mean a recall for Harris to the test arena where he is capable of
fitting into the middle order for the third test starting on
Saturday.
The New Zealand selectors, Ross Dykes (convener), Steve Rixon, and
Rick Pickard, were already having to soul-search to find a suitable
partner for Astle in the BNZ one-day series which starts at Taupo on
January 9.
Options already having been mentioned to partner Astle include
Matthew Horne, Matthew Bell, Craig Spearman, Roger Twose, Mark
Bailey, and Llorne Howell.
With the absence of Astle, who has played 75 matches for a batting
average of 34.41 with five hundreds and 16 50s, Twose's vast
experience at the one-day game in England and in New Zealand should
make him a front-line contender.
Twose's average for New Zealand is 27 from 25 matches, while Horne's
is 18.21 from 24 and Spearman 17.13 from 31 appearances, although
Horne has not always been an opener.
Howell made an impact last season with four 50s in 12 outings, but
has yet to recapture that form, while his throwing ability at
international level is unproven after off-season shoulder surgery.
30 December 1998
Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)