Astle receives good news

Nathan Astle has received some good news after scans confirmed that his hand isn’t broken and he only sustained heavy bruising.

Astle was hit on the hand by a throw from the outfield while batting in New Zealand’s second Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka on Boxing Day.

Astle batted in the nets on Wednesday and appeared to suffer no discomfort by the injury which will be a relief to himself and the selectors after he got the Black Caps home in the second Twenty20 international by scoring 40 not out.

Craig McMillan has been put on standby should Astle be unable to take his place within the team, but that appears to now be unlikely.

Iain O’Brien is also on standby for Mark Gillespie’s knee injury and Michael Mason’s hamstring injury but both players are confident of being available for selection.