Astle is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks after fracturing a metacarpal bone on the back of his left hand after being hit there by a rising delivery yesterday from Indian medium-fast bowler Javagal Srinath.

While Astle can bat today on the final day of the second test if required, he will need a pain-killer to take the crease, said team manager John Graham.

Astle's loss is significant, especially in the make-up of the side for the five-match one-day series to follow, where he would have been such an integral component opening the batting. But his absence could mean a recall for Harris to the test arena where he is capable of fitting into the middle order for the third test starting on Saturday.

The New Zealand selectors, Ross Dykes (convener), Steve Rixon, and Rick Pickard, were already having to soul-search to find a suitable partner for Astle in the BNZ one-day series which starts at Taupo on January 9.

Options already having been mentioned to partner Astle include Matthew Horne, Matthew Bell, Craig Spearman, Roger Twose, Mark Bailey, and Llorne Howell.

With the absence of Astle, who has played 75 matches for a batting average of 34.41 with five hundreds and 16 50s, Twose's vast experience at the one-day game in England and in New Zealand should make him a front-line contender.

Twose's average for New Zealand is 27 from 25 matches, while Horne's is 18.21 from 24 and Spearman 17.13 from 31 appearances, although Horne has not always been an opener.

Howell made an impact last season with four 50s in 12 outings, but has yet to recapture that form, while his throwing ability at international level is unproven after off-season shoulder surgery. 30 December 1998