The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Astle puts Kiwis in command

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

Astle puts Kiwis in command

BULAWAYO: Nathan Astle made an unbeaten 116 to put New Zealand in a comfortable position at stumps on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe here on Tuesday. It was Astle's 11th Test century and it helped the tourist reach 454 for seven in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings total of 231.

Astle cracked 19 fours in his 192-ball innings, taking his time before launching an assault.

Earlier, the New Zealand innings was put firmly on course by captain Stephen Fleming and Lou Vincent who added 138 for the fourth wicket. Fleming made 65 while Vincent fell eight short of his fourth Test century. It was Fleming's 40th half-century and Vincent's ninth.

Fleming's record

Fleming reached 6,000 Test runs during this knock. He is the first New Zealander to reach this milestone, in his 96th Test and 165th innings. Scott Styris (45) and Daniel Vettori (48) joined the run feast.

The morning session was smooth sailing for Fleming and Vincent. They comfortably survived the dangerous first few overs before dominating the home attack.

The Zimbabwe bowlers failed to take advantage of the first period when the wicket offered lateral movement and had inconsistent bounce.

Heath Streak, Blessing Mahwire and debutant Keith Dabengwa took two wickets each for Zimbabwe.

New Zealand leads the two-Test series 1-0. — AP

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