Tendulkar, on 16, failed to read the delivery, got a leading edge, and spooned a catch back to Astle, a valuable blow for the Black Caps in their 66-run win at Carisbrook two days ago.

``It's a nice wicket to say you've got even though it was an unofficial game,''Astle said last night from Wellington.

``It was a good workout for our guys. We batted well, all except for me missing out, and I think we can take some confidence from the result. Even though I didn't get runs I still feel in reasonable form.

``I think we were a bit sharper than they were and we must convert that into the test,''said Astle of the second game in the BNZ series, which starts Saturday.

Astle said playing with the red ball under lights was not a great experience.

``I was fielding at mid-wicket and found it quite difficult to pick up as the night went on. It couldn't have been that easy batting.''