|
 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. (Agencies)
Published: Tuesday,
October 14, 2003
|
