Cricket: World XI chasing 257

World XI captain Shane Warne (right) congratulates New Zealand's Nathan Astle after he was dismissed for 107 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington today. Picture / Fotopress

New Zealand opener Nathan Astle stepped up from a supporting role in Christchurch to crack yet another one-day cricket century as the hosts posted 256 for nine in the second match against the World 11 here today.

Astle hit 109 off 123 balls to anchor an otherwise stuttering New Zealand innings after they were sent in by World 11 captain Shane Warne on a good batting surface.

He had little support, with recalled Craig McMillan's 33 the next highest score.

Going into the series, which doesn't carry official one-day international status, Astle had 14 centuries from 188 one-day matches -- a New Zealand record.

Having largely watched from the other end in Christchurch on Saturday for 36 not out as captain Stephen Fleming blazed 106 in their nine-wicket win, Astle took charge today.

Fleming was caught and bowled for 14 by Chaminda Vaas, then Astle stepped it up, hitting a flurry of aerial boundaries through the off side to reach 50 off 43 balls, including seven fours and a six.

New Zealand were cruising at 107 for one in the 20th over, with Astle and Mathew Sinclair adding 93 off 100 balls, but the innings stalled once Sinclair was smartly caught behind by Sri Lankan gloveman Kumar Sangakkara off South African Lance Klusener for 30.

The big wicket was Chris Cairns, promoted to No 4 in the order, who hit Klusener to Warne at cover for just nine.

The three World 11 spinners Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya, slammed on the brakes in the middle stages, with Jayasuriya the pick with one for 38 off 10 overs.

Warne went wicketless for 44 runs off 10 overs while Muralitharan, after his 57-run hammering off 3.1 overs in Christchurch, took Hamish Marshall's wicket for six, to end with one for 46 off eight.

He still suffered some punishment, with McMillan hitting him into the stands three times.

Australian paceman Andy Bichel, not wanted for their national team, came into the World 11 side and took three for 56 off 10 overs, including the wicket of Astle caught at point in the 45th over.

Former All Black Jeff Wilson played a brief cameo at No 9 in his comeback innings, hitting Warne for four to get off the mark, then smashing Bichel over mid-wicket for six before being caught next ball for 11.

New Zealand omitted allrounder Scott Styris, while the World 11 omitted Craig Spearman, Ian Harvey and Heath Streak.

It meant Australian pair Matthew Elliott and Bichel, and England batsman Nick Knight, would play their first matches of the series for the World 11.

- NZPA