Cricket: World XI square the series

Nathan Astle on his way to his century against the World XI in Wellington last night. Picture / Reuters

Nathan Astle's well-documented strike-power is poised to receive a controversial boost with a revolutionary bat from manufacturers Kookaburra.

The New Zealand opener celebrated a welcome return to the man-of-the-match podium last night when he struck 109 off 123 balls to consolidate his side's innings in the second one-dayer against the World XI.

However, the contribution still wasn't enough for New Zealand, who slumped to a three-wicket defeat after being undone by a combination of Matthew Elliot's solid opening, and some grand batting late in the piece from Kumar Sangakkara and Australian World Cup hero Andy Bichel.

Chasing New Zealand's shaky-looking 256 for nine, Elliot hit three fours and three sixes in his 59, Sangakkara chimed in with a typically brazen 54 off 60 balls, and Bichel brought his side home with a composed 37 off 38 balls.

The result was something of a wake-up call for the New Zealanders, who are ranked the second-best ODI side in the world, and left the series tantalisingly locked at 1-1 with the decider to be played in Hamilton tomorrow night.

Still armed with his trusty Kookaburra from last season, Astle expects to soon receive a delivery of the bat-maker's new-age Kahuna model, which features a thin strip of carbon graphite fabric to strengthen the blade and prolong its life.

The prototype has already been used with remarkable effect this season by Kookaburra's flagship cricketer Ricky Ponting, who not only used it during his crunching 207 in the New Year's test against Pakistan at Sydney, but also during the tsunami charity match at Melbourne.

That was the game in which he smashed 115 at the world's biggest ground, including two eye-popping sixes that sailed over long-on and several rows into the new member's area.

However, plans for Astle to use the weapon next month have been put on temporary hold after the International Cricket Council - who initially approved the new bat - requested more details and information.

Apart from Ponting, the new Kahuna has also been used by Victoria Twenty20 captain Ian Harvey, while England batsman Graham Thorpe used one during the third test against South Africa.

Astle said this week he had expected to receive his new Kahuna by now, but that Kookaburra were waiting on the concept bat to be officially signed off by the ICC before beginning distribution.

ICC rules prohibits bat-makers from using technology that aids performance.

But Kookaburra chiefs maintain the new bat is legitimate and they were not introducing equipment that interfered with the spirit or integrity of the game.

For all that, Astle showed few signs of being disadvantaged by his older bat last night, reinforcing his status as New Zealand's most productive one-day batsmen with his first hundred since reaching three-figures last year against the United States.

Having been put in by World XI skipper Shane Warne, New Zealand managed to post a slightly shaky 256 for nine, thanks largely to the effort of Astle, who comfortably eclipsed the next highest scorer - Craig McMillan with 33.

It was a welcome sign of form from Astle, New Zealand's leading ODI century-maker, who has been working feverishly on this technique this summer, following a long lay-off because of knee surgery.

Before the start of the series against the World XI, which doesn't carry official one-day international status, Astle had 14 centuries from 188 one-day matches - a New Zealand record.

He later stamped his mark on the game by dismissing dangerman Matthew Elliott during a rare spell at the bowling crease, and then running out Jonty Rhodes after the South African was forced to run around batting partner Sangakkara.