Published: Jan 14, 2016, 10:21 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 14, 2016, 10:21 AM (IST)
Todd Astle, the Canterbury all-rounder has earned a recall to the New Zealand national side as reward for his consistent performances in the domestic arena, and the 29-year-old is stoked about it. Astle has only once donned the New Zealand colours in the past in a Test match against Sri Lanka at Colombo. That was a forgettable outing for him as he failed to deliver to expectations with either bat or ball. Astle is however hoping to make amends if and when he gets a chance against Pakistan in the limited-overs fixtures. Astle has been in fantastic form in the domestic circuit and will hope to replicate that in New Zealand black. ALSO READ: Todd Astle named in New Zealand’s squad for upcoming T20I series against Pakistan
“It is very special,” Astle said about his recall to the New Zealand side. “It is an amazing feeling to be amongst the guys and hopefully I get an opportunity at some stage during this series,” stuff.co.nz reported him as saying at a press conference.
“I think consistency all round over three formats has got me back here,” he said. “I am also bowling a bit quicker which has helped me play more T20 and One Day formats as well.”
Astle conceded that at times he had given up hopes of ever wearing the Black Cap again. “You do wonder about it but you have to stay true to your values and try to do well everytime you go out there and not think about whether you will get back there or not,” he said.
Responding to Ahmed Shehzad‘s comments that the Kiwi spinners are still raw at the international stage, Astle said he did not read much into that and understood that as a fresher, the onus was on him to prove his worth. “I am a newcomer on the block so it is up for me to go out there and do my thing. They can worry about what they want to worry about I suppose.”
Asked about the prospects of being able to make it to the ICC World T20 2016 in India where coach Mike Hesson has vowed to take three spinners, Astle decided it was best to not focus on that bit as of now. “It is just about enjoying it and expressing my own unique set of skills and be in the moment as much as possible. I will stay relaxed and try to do my thing.”
