View source for Nathan Astle

{{short description|New Zealand cricketer}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox cricketer
|                name = Nathan Astle
|    honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM|size=100}}
|               image = Australia vs. New Zealand (cropped).jpg
|             caption = Astle batting against Australia in 2006
|             country = New Zealand
|            fullname = Nathan John Astle
|            nickname = 
|          birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|9|15|df=yes}}
|         birth_place = [[Christchurch]], New Zealand
|              family = {{ubl|[[Lisa Astle]] (sister)|[[Robbie Frew]] (brother-in-law)}}
|            heightft = 
|          heightinch = 
|             heightm = 
|             batting = Right-handed
|             bowling = Right-arm [[Seam bowling|medium]]
|                role = [[Batsman]]
|       international = true
|   internationalspan = 1995–2007
|       testdebutdate = 13 January
|       testdebutyear = 1996
|    testdebutagainst = Zimbabwe
|             testcap = 197
|        lasttestdate = 15 December
|        lasttestyear = 2006
|     lasttestagainst = Sri Lanka
|        odidebutdate = 22 January
|        odidebutyear = 1995
|     odidebutagainst = West Indies
|              odicap = 93
|         lastodidate = 23 January
|         lastodiyear = 2007
|      lastodiagainst = England
|            odishirt = 9
|       T20Idebutdate = 21 October
|       T20Idebutyear = 2005
|    T20Idebutagainst = South Africa
|             T20Icap = 12
|        lastT20Idate = 26 December
|        lastT20Iyear = 2006
|     lastT20Iagainst = Sri Lanka
|               club1 = [[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury]]
|               year1 = {{nowrap|1991/92–2006/07}}
|         clubnumber1 = 
|               club2 = [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]]
|               year2 = 1997
|         clubnumber2 = 
|               club3 = [[Durham County Cricket Club|Durham]]
|               year3 = 2005
|         clubnumber3 = 
|               club4 = [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]]
|               year4 = 2006
|         clubnumber4 = 
|             columns = 4
|             column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|            matches1 = 81
|               runs1 = 4,702
|            bat avg1 = 37.02
|           100s/50s1 = 11/24
|          top score1 = 222
|         deliveries1 = 5,688
|            wickets1 = 51
|           bowl avg1 = 42.01
|            fivefor1 = 0
|             tenfor1 = 0
|       best bowling1 = 3/27
|  catches/stumpings1 = 70/–
|             column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|            matches2 = 223
|               runs2 = 7,090
|            bat avg2 = 34.92
|           100s/50s2 = 16/41
|          top score2 = 145*
|         deliveries2 = 4,850
|            wickets2 = 99
|           bowl avg2 = 38.47
|            fivefor2 = 0
|             tenfor2 = 0
|       best bowling2 = 4/43
|  catches/stumpings2 = 83/–
|             column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|            matches3 = 171
|               runs3 = 9,321
|            bat avg3 = 37.58
|           100s/50s3 = 19/50
|          top score3 = 223
|         deliveries3 = 13,441
|            wickets3 = 150
|           bowl avg3 = 32.64
|            fivefor3 = 2
|             tenfor3 = 0
|       best bowling3 = 6/22
|  catches/stumpings3 = 134/–
|             column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
|            matches4 = 377
|               runs4 = 11,635
|            bat avg4 = 35.58
|           100s/50s4 = 26/64
|          top score4 = 145*
|         deliveries4 = 10,884
|            wickets4 = 244
|           bowl avg4 = 30.31
|            fivefor4 = 0
|             tenfor4 = 0
|       best bowling4 = 4/14
|  catches/stumpings4 = 146/–
|                date = 11 November
|                year = 2008
|              source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/36185.html ESPNcricinfo
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry| {{NZL}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze | [[1998 Commonwealth Games|1998 Kuala Lumpur]] | [[Cricket at the 1998 Commonwealth Games|List-A cricket]] }}
}}
'''Nathan John Astle''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM}} (born 15 September 1971) is a former [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] [[cricket]]er, who played all formats of the game. A right-handed batsman who played as an opener in [[One Day International]]s (ODI), while batting in the middle order in [[Test cricket|Test matches]]. In a career that spanned 12 years, Astle played 81 Tests and 223 ODIs accumulating 4,702 and 7,090 [[Run (cricket)|runs]] respectively. As of 2022, he is New Zealand's fourth-most prolific run scorer. Astle collected 154 wickets with his medium-paced bowling at the international level. He holds two records&nbsp;– scoring the fastest double century in Test cricket and the second highest individual score in the fourth innings of a Test match. Both the records were achieved when he made 222 against [[England cricket team|England]] in [[Christchurch]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/nathan-astle-smashes-test-crickets-fastest-ever-double-hundred-24098?|title=Nastle Asle hits fastest ever double hundred in Tests|website=cricketcounty.com|last=Pai Vaidya|first=Nishad|date=2 July 2014|access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> Astle was a member of the New Zealand team that won the [[2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy]]. His innings of 145 not out was the highest individual score by a batsman in the [[ICC Champions Trophy]], which he scored in the [[2004 ICC Champions Trophy|2004 tournament]] until it was broken by Ben Duckett in 2025 against Australia when he scored 165.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!sports/australia-vs-england-ben-duckett-becomes-player-to-score-highest-individual-score-in-champions-trophy-history-enn25022204386|title=AUS vs ENG: Ben Duckett Becomes Player With Highest Individual Score In Champions Trophy History|date=22 February 2025 |publisher=ETV Bharat}}</ref>

Astle has played county cricket in England for [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]], [[Durham County Cricket Club|Durham]] and [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]], and played domestically for [[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury]].

==Personal life==
Astle was born in [[Christchurch]], New Zealand, where he is still based; he is married to Kelly Astle and has two children. Astle and his wife Kelly run a childcare centre for which he is the director.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Nathan Astle's daddy daycare |journal=[[New Zealand Woman's Weekly]] |year=2010 |url=http://www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/celebrity/nathan-astles-daddy-daycare/ |access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927163207/http://www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/celebrity/nathan-astles-daddy-daycare/ |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> His sister, [[Lisa Astle]], represented the [[New Zealand women's cricket team|New Zealand women's team]] at the 1993 World Cup, and later married another first-class cricketer, [[Robbie Frew]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lisa Astle |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/17/17228/17228.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922033436/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/17/17228/17228.html |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref>

==Domestic career==
Born in 1971 at Christchurch, Astle joined the East Christchurch-Shirley Cricket Club, a cricket club that would produce cricketers like [[Bruce Taylor (New Zealand cricketer)|Bruce Taylor]], [[Craig McMillan]] and [[Michael Papps]].<ref>{{cite web|title=East Christchurch-Shirley Junior Club |url=http://www.eastchchshirleycricket.org.nz/juniors/juniors.html |publisher=eastchchshirleycricket.org.nz |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922221134/http://www.eastchchshirleycricket.org.nz/juniors/juniors.html |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref> He used to bat at number 6, and played as a batsman who could bowl medium pace. During the 1990–91 season, Astle was selected to play for "New Zealand Young Cricketers" against "England Young Cricketers". Astle managed just 127 runs at an [[Batting average (cricket)|average]] of 31.75 in the three match series.<ref name=cricketarchive1>{{cite web|title=Nathan Astle |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2234/2234.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922173229/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2234/2234.html |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref> The following year, Astle made his [[First-class cricket|First-class]] debut for [[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury]] against Central Districts.<ref name=cricketarchive1/> He hardly managed to score runs at the end of the first three seasons.<ref name="first class">{{cite web|title=First-Class Batting and Fielding in each season by Nathan Astle |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2234/f_Batting_by_Season.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922173738/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2234/f_Batting_by_Season.html |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref> During the 1994–95 season he aggregated 663 runs at an average of 55.25.<ref name="first class" /> He played three important innings during the season&nbsp;– 96 against [[Auckland cricket team|Auckland]], 175 against [[Northern Districts men's cricket team|Northern Districts]] and 191 against [[Wellington cricket team|Wellington]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Canterbury v Auckland, Shell Trophy 1994/95 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/59/59740.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922173312/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/59/59740.html |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Northern Districts v Canterbury, Shell Trophy 1994/95 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/59/59786.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922172549/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/59/59786.html |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Canterbury v Wellington, Shell Trophy 1994/95 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/60/60143.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922172719/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/60/60143.html |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref> Following impressive performances in the season, he was noticed by the New Zealand selectors.

On 31 May 2006, [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] announced that Astle would be a short-term overseas replacement for Australian player [[Brad Hodge]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lancs sign Astle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbtms/html/NF2208933?thread=3096463 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223225014/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbtms/html/NF2208933?thread=3096463 |archive-date=23 February 2014 }}</ref> In 2007 he played for Longton C.C in [[Staffordshire]]. He was a part of the Mumbai Champs team in the inaugural 20/20 Tournament of the now defunct [[Indian Cricket League]] (ICL).

==International career==
===Debut years===
Astle was selected for the ODI series against [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] in 1995. He was again selected for the series against [[Sri Lanka cricket team|Sri Lanka]] where's he scored 95 in one of the matches thus enabling New Zealand level the series and ending their losing streak after 13 matches.<ref>{{cite web|last=Menon |first=Mohandas |title=Longest losing streaks |url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2001/jun/14capt.htm |publisher=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923003722/http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2001/jun/14capt.htm |archive-date=23 September 2013 }}</ref> It was under the insistence of [[Glenn Turner]], then coach of New Zealand, Astle was selected for the Test side and started playing as an opener in ODIs.<ref name=ecb>{{cite web |title=Nathan Astle |url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/stats/player-profiles/nathan-astle,495,PP.html?statsType=2 |publisher=[[England and Wales Cricket Board]] |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922233900/http://www.ecb.co.uk/stats/player-profiles/nathan-astle%2C495%2CPP.html?statsType=2 |archive-date=22 September 2013 }}</ref> He was again selected for a five match ODI series in India. In the first four matches, he failed to score, but in the final match he recorded his first ODI century scoring 114 off 128 balls. New Zealand won the match and Astle was declared "[[man of the match]]", in spite of New Zealand losing the series 3–2.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand in India ODI Series&nbsp;– 5th ODI |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64505.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061441/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64505.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref> The following year Astle made his Test debut against [[Zimbabwe cricket team|Zimbabwe]] at [[Seddon Park|Trust Bank Park]], [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]].<ref name=cricketarchive1 /> In the ODI series, Astle scored a century in the first match and was named "man of the match".<ref>{{cite web|title=Zimbabwe in New Zealand ODI Series – 1st ODI |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64518.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061410/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64518.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref> All in all, he scored 168 runs in the series averaging 56.00.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / One-Day Internationals /  innings by innings list / Zimbabwe in New Zealand ODI Series, 1995/96 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2;series=721;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928073522/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2%3Bseries%3D721%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> Following that, Astle was named in the New Zealand squad for the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]] that was held in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He scored his first World Cup hundred in new Zealand's opening match, against England, of the tournament. However, Astle failed to score runs in the rest of the tournament, eventually ended up with 111 runs at an average of 18.5.<ref>{{cite web|title=Records / Wills World Cup, 1995/96 / Most runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=722;type=tournament |publisher=ECPNcricinfo |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926030939/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=722%3Btype%3Dtournament |archive-date=26 September 2013 }}</ref>

Following his dismal performance at the World Cup, Astle was selected for the two match Test series in West Indies. This was his second series after the one against Zimbabwe at home. Until then, he managed just 77 runs in four innings at an average of 19.25,<ref>{{cite web|title=Career averages for matches completed by Jan 24, 1996 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63710.html?view=averages |publisher=ECPNcricinfo |access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004033427/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63710.html?view=averages |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref> In the first Test at [[Kensington Oval]], he scored 54 (48 balls) and 125 in both innings of the Test. In the second innings he was involved in a partnership of 144 runs with [[Justin Vaughan]] for the fifth wicket, a record for New Zealand then.<ref name=ESPNcricinfo1>{{cite web|title=New Zealand in West Indies Test Series&nbsp;– 1st Test |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63711.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061458/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63711.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref> In spite of his performance in the match, New Zealand lost the match by ten wickets.<ref name=ESPNcricinfo1 /> He continued his good form with the bat as he scored 103 in the second Test, enabling New Zealand draw the match, although they lost the series 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand in West Indies Test Series&nbsp;– 2nd Test |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63712.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061319/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63712.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref> In the following year, Astle scored 106 against England in the 1st Test of the three–match series. He was involved in a partnership of 106 for the tenth wicket with [[Danny Morrison (cricketer)|Danny Morrison]], a New Zealand record. His partnership with Morrison helped New Zealand secure a draw and prevented England from winning the test match.<ref>{{cite web|title=First Test Match New Zealand v England |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153304.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921081158/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153304.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref>

===Successful opener in ODIs===
{{main|List of international cricket centuries by Nathan Astle}}
Astle was New Zealand's top run scorer in the [[1997 Pepsi Independence Cup]], a quadrangular tournament that also included India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In the first match against Pakistan, he scored 117 and took a career-best [[Bowling analysis|figure]] of four wickets for 43 runs; New Zealand won the match by 22 runs while Astle was named Man of the match.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pepsi Independence Cup – 1st match New Zealand v Pakistan |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66108.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061435/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66108.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref> He followed that with 92 against India, a match which New Zealand lost. Although, New Zealand did not progress to the finals, Astle ended up as the fourth-most prolific run scorer with 218 runs at an average of 72.66.<ref>{{cite web|title=Records / Pepsi Independence Cup, 1997 / Most runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=746;type=tournament |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928073135/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=746%3Btype%3Dtournament |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> He was equally successful with the ball as he captured seven wickets at an [[Bowling average|average]] of 15.00.<ref>{{cite web|title=Records / Pepsi Independence Cup, 1997 / Most wickets |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=746;type=tournament |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928073509/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=746%3Btype%3Dtournament |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> Astle also passed [[Martin Crowe]]'s record number of one-day hundreds for New Zealand (four) during the tournament.

Astle's success as opener in ODIs continued throughout the season. In a home series against Zimbabwe, he was more consistent, scoring 351 runs including a century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / One-Day Internationals / batting analysis / View innings by innings list / Zimbabwe in New Zealand ODI Series, 1997/9 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2;series=761;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928071614/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2%3Bseries%3D761%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> He made scores exceeding 60 in four consecutive matches and was ultimately named "man of the series".<ref>{{cite web|title=Fifth One-Day International / New Zealand v Zimbabwe 1997–1998 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151648.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004033923/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151648.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref> Astle performed well in the subsequent series' such as the [[1998 Nidahas Trophy|Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy]] (1998) and the home series against [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] accumulating close to 600 runs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / One-Day Internationals / Series averages |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting;view=series |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928071845/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dseries |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref>

===1999 World Cup failure===
Although, Astle was consistent till 1999, he failed in the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]] that took place in England. He managed just 79 runs in nine matches at an average of 8.77.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / One-Day Internationals /  ICC World Cup, 1999 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2;series=787;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928073455/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2%3Bseries%3D787%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> he scored well in the Test series against England including a century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / Test matches / New Zealand in England Test Series, 1999 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=1;series=415;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928073720/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=1%3Bseries%3D415%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> At the end of the century, Astle established himself as one of the key players in New Zealand.

[[File:Nathan Astle graph.png|right|thumb|350px|An innings-by-innings breakdown of Astle's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line).]]

At the end of 2000, New Zealand suffered heavy losses in the Test series against South Africa. Astle made a strong comeback in the ODI series against Pakistan, scoring 240 runs. In the final match of the series, he made 119 off 116 balls that contained 21 fours. During the innings he was involved in a record stand of 193 for the first wicket with captain [[Stephen Fleming]]. It helped New Zealand win the series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fifth One-Day International / New Zealand v Pakistan, 2000–01 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154120.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928185418/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154120.html |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> In the rain-affected [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2001–02|2001–02 Trans-Tasman Trophy]] against Australia, Astle scored moderately in the first two Tests and came back with a valiant 156 [[Not out (cricket)|not out]] in the third Test. Though New Zealand had their upper hand throughout the series, it ended in a draw.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / Test matches / Trans-Tasman Trophy, 2001/0 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=1;series=455;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928073549/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=1%3Bseries%3D455%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> In the tour he made a career best First-class score of 223 against [[Queensland cricket team|Queensland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Queensland v New Zealanders New Zealand in Australia 2001/02 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/73/73320.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927123420/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/73/73320.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> Following that, England visited New Zealand to play five ODIs and three Test matches. In the ODI series, he fared well scoring 221 runs in five innings at an average of 73.66 including a century in the last match.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / One-Day Internationals /  England in New Zealand ODI Series, 2001/02 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2;series=842;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928170219/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2%3Bseries%3D842%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fifth one-day international, New Zealand v England |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155000.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929121426/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155000.html |archive-date=29 September 2013 }}</ref> In the first Test, chasing a target of 550 runs, Astle batted at number five went on to make 222, his highest Test score.<ref name=cricketarchiveprofile>{{cite web|title=Nathan Astle Profile |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/6/6233.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926172609/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/6/6233.html |archive-date=26 September 2013 }}</ref> he set the record for the fastest double-century when he reached the landmark in 153 balls.<ref name=cricketarchiveprofile /> He took 168 balls hitting 28 fours and 11 sixes before being the last man to be dismissed. During the innings he was involved in a partnership of 118 runs with injured [[Chris Cairns]].<ref name=cricketarchiveprofile /> Despite this New Zealand lost the match by 98 runs. As of 2013, it remains the second highest score by a player in the fourth innings of a Test match.

===2003 World Cup and return===
Astle made a remarkable comeback to the [[2003 Cricket World Cup|2003 World Cup]] after disastrous performances in the previous two editions that appeared. He scored a century, second in World Cups, against Zimbabwe and finished the tournament with 213 runs from seven matches at an average of 42.60.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / One-Day Internationals / ICC World Cup, 2002/03 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2;series=865;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928073402/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2%3Bseries%3D865%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref>
Immediately following the World Cup, New Zealand toured India to play two Test matches. In the first Test at [[Ahmedabad]], Astle scored 103, when New Zealand were struggling thus helping them save the match. The following year Astle went on to record his highest [[One Day International|ODI]] score when he made 145 not out against [[United States of America Cricket Association|USA]] at the [[ICC Champions Trophy 2004]]. By this time, his Test average dipped down; he went on to make only two more hundreds till the end of his career, including one against Zimbabwe. However, he continued his good form in ODIs. In August 2005, he made an unbeaten 115 against India at the final of the [[Videocon Tri-Series 2005–06|Videocon Tri-Series]] that was held in Zimbabwe. New Zealand won the tournament and Astle was adjudged "player of the match".<ref>{{cite web|title=Videocon Triangular Series&nbsp;— Final India v New Zealand |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/218250.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061323/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/218250.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref>

During the 2005 [[Chappell–Hadlee Series]] and the preceding tour to [[South Africa]], Astle incurred media criticism along with fellow [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand cricket team]] teammates Craig McMillan, [[Hamish Marshall]] and [[James Marshall (cricketer)|James Marshall]], for a slump in form. As a result of this, he was dropped from the national team. However he returned to the side in 2006 for the home series against West Indies. He scored 118 not out at Christchurch,<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / NJ Astle / One-Day Internationals / West Indies in New Zealand ODI Series, 2005/06 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2;series=2698;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928075434/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/36185.html?class=2%3Bseries%3D2698%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> and ended up as New Zealand's leading run scorer of the tournament. Over the New Zealand summer, he scored 690 ODI runs from 11 matches at an average of 54.2. He received the "2005–2006 Walter Hadlee Trophy for Best New Zealand One-Day International batsman".

===Retirement===
While expected to make his fourth World Cup appearance, Astle announced his retirement from international cricket, while he was playing in the [[2006–07 Commonwealth Bank Series|Commonwealth Bank Series]], on 26 January 2007.<ref name=retire>{{cite web|title=New Zealand's Astle quits before World Cup |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/6/6020.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=25 September 2013 |date=1 February 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926172520/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/6/6020.html |archive-date=26 September 2013 }}</ref> He cited lack of motivation and his "patchy form" in the recent matches as reasons for retiring.<ref name=retire />

{{Quote box|width=30em|align=right|quote="I have been fighting this day for about eight months. I so desperately wanted to go to my fourth World Cup, but deep down inside I knew that I was lacking motivation and the enjoyment levels were just not there."|source=—Astle on his retirement from international cricket.<ref>{{cite web|title=Playing, playing, gone Cricketers who announced their retirements during series |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/550380.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004034823/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/550380.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref>}}

He played his last One-Day International on 23 January 2007 against England at the [[Adelaide Oval]].<ref>{{cite web|last=English |first=Peter |title=Match 6, England v New Zealand, The Commonwealth Bank Series, 2006–07 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/291674.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004034825/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/291674.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref>

==Playing style and influences==
Astle has been described as the best ODI batsman New Zealand has ever produced.<ref name=cricketarchiveprofile /> Apart from his role as a batsman, he was also an occasional partnership-breaking medium pace bowler and a competent slip fielder.<ref name=cricketarchiveprofile /> Because of this multi-utility option he always enjoyed selection in the team but his laid-back attitude resulted him never been considered for the captaincy, despite his seniority.

==Outside cricket==
Astle has also been a competent soccer player, playing for [[Rangers A.F.C.]] in Christchurch, a club which also at one time had fellow cricketer [[Sir Richard Hadlee]] among its players. Astle also took up Auto racing in early 2010, competing predominantly at Woodford Glen Speedway, Christchurch, driving a Modified Sprint. Astle moved to full-sized Sprintcars after two seasons in a Modified Sprint, and has since competed in numerous speedway events across New Zealand.<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/motorsport/109417392/exsports-stars-nathan-astle-and-whetu-taewa-find-adrenaline-fix-in-sprintcar-racing Ex-sports stars Nathan Astle and Whetu Taewa find adrenaline fix in sprintcar racing]. [[Stuff (website)]]. 09 January 2019.</ref>

==Honours and awards==
The ''[[New Zealand Cricket Almanack]]'' named him the "Player of the Year" on three occasions – 1995, 1996 and 2002. For his efforts, Astle received the "Player of the Year" award in 1998. He was also named New Zealand's "One-Day International Batsman of the Year" in 2006. In the [[2007 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|2007 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Astle was appointed a [[Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit]], for services to cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2007 |title=Queen's Birthday honours list 2007 |date=4 June 2007 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
In 2009, Astle announced his intentions to make a career of coaching, and was appointed the head coach role of the [[Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club]], a senior club in the Christchurch Metropolitan league, playing under the [[Canterbury Cricket Association]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{ESPNcricinfo|id=36185}}

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