Astle takes England attack apart

Nathan Astle smashed the England bowlers to all parts of Eden Park on Tuesday as New Zealand made a spirited bid to win the third and final Test.

Astle, who scored the fastest double century in history in the first Test, hit 65 from 51 balls to propel New Zealand to an overall lead of 311 at the close of the fourth day.

New Zealand, needing a victory to square the series, opted to stay on the field and batted under the floodlights well after sunset to reach 269 for nine at the close.

Earlier pace bowler Daryl Tuffey took six for 54 as England were dismissed for 160 in their first innings after resuming at 12 for three in reply to New Zealand's 202.

Astle raced to his half-century from 38 balls with four fours and two sixes, adding 75 with Chris Harris (43) for the fourth wicket after a careful start by the New Zealanders. He drove Andy Flintoff for a six over long-on then lifted him over the square-leg boundary for another six in the same over.

Craig McMillan, who was unbeaten on 50 from 51 balls, also joined in the fun, slicing a Flintoff bouncer for six over the third-man boundary and cracking the next ball for four through the covers. In the following over he drove Matthew Hoggard over his head for six.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore, playing in his final Test, scored 36 as a replacement for injured opener Lou Vincent.

Opener Michael Vaughan was the first England player dismissed after play began on a bright, sunny day, caught behind by Parore for 27 to give Andre Adams his first Test wicket.

Mark Ramprakash followed shortly after, caught behind off Tuffey for nine from an undisciplined drive outside his off stump.

Flintoff provided some much needed impetus when he replaced Ramprakash but, just as he was getting into his stride with five fours and a six in a run-a-ball 29, he was sent on his way by a poor caught behind decision. Only Parore and some of the slip cordon appealed as the ball passed harmlessly wide of Flintoff's bat through to the 'keeper.

In the second over of Tuffey's second spell of the day Graham Thorpe was out for 42 when he shouldered arms and saw the top of his off-stump toppled by a ball that nipped back.

Ashley Giles fell lbw to Tuffey for a duck, Andy Caddick clumped a brisk 20 before he was bowled by Tuffey and Hoggard was caught at first slip by Stephen Fleming without scoring. It was the New Zealand captain's 100th Test catch

Mail Cricket Editor