Astle scores century as Kiwis pile on runs

Nathan Astle scored his seventh Test century as New Zealand reached 426 for seven after lunch on the second day of the third and deciding Test against Australia on Saturday.

The unbeaten eighth wicket partnership of 145 between Astle (101) and wicketkeeper Adam Parore (62) was a new eighth wicket record for the Kiwis, beating the previous mark of 144 between Chris Cairns and Dion Nash against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2000-01.

Astle hit Glenn McGrath (1-66) for three boundaries in the 45th over of the day, reaching his century with the third four which he pushed stylishly through the covers.

The right-hander's century came in 302 minutes off 203 balls with 15 boundaries.

It was only the third time that three players had scored centuries in a Test innings for New Zealand.

New Zealand had resumed at 293 for seven with Parore on five and Astle on 28 after centuries from debutant opener Lou Vincent (104) and captain Stephen Fleming (105) on the opening day's play in the third and deciding Test.

Astle and Parore reached their century partnership from 243 balls in 168 minutes.

The second 50 came in an hour as the pair took advantage of the excellent batting conditions and an Australia attack that lacked penetration. Parore hit McGrath through cover for four in the 41st over of the day to reach his half-century off 136 balls in 186 minutes with six fours and one six.

The first two matches in the three-Test series were rain-affected draws played in Brisbane and Hobart.

Mail Cricket Editor