Mohali, Oct 14: New Zealand's star batsman Nathan Astle will miss his team's upcoming Tri-Series cricket tournament against India and Australia due to an injury, the touring team manager announced here today. However, Astle who played a key role in saving the first test against India in Ahmedabad last week will be available for the second and final Test between the two teams starting here on Thursday, manager Lindsay Crocker said in a statement.
He will fly back home before the start of the inaugural Tri-Series match between India and New Zealand at Chennai on October 23 to cure his injured left knee.
"Nathan aggravated his left knee injury early on this tour and he is returning home to have the injury examined by a specialist," Crocker said.
"It is difficult to ascertain the exact nature or extent of the injury. But the team's tour medical panel feel it is unlikely he will aggravate the injury further by playing in the second test," he said.
The right hander was in superb form in the first test at Ahmedabad last week and helped his side to avoid defeat scoring 103 in the first innings and a fighting 51 not out in the second innings after coming down the order with a stomach infection.
"The aim of sending him home is to try to ensure he is fit for the home series against Pakistan and South Africa," Crocker said.
Astle will be replaced by Chris Nevin in the ODI squad.
Bureau Report