Date-stamped : 25 Jun97 - 06:18 21 May 1997 Astle Overlooked For Women's Squad Noted Canterbury women's cricketer Lisa Astle has missed selection in the 19-member New Zealand squad named to prepare for the Shell Rosebowl series against Australia and the World Cup. Astle, 24, has been selected for New Zealand several times since 1993, but has been overlooked this time. Astle, who learnt of her omission when contacted by "The Press" yesterday, said she was determined to keep working at her game. She said her performances last season at the national tournament and for New Zealand A were not as good as she would have wanted, but is still keen to play. National selection panel convener Eileen Badham said Astle was not completely out of the selection frame. "She's certainly not forgotten about, but she has often not been able to produce her best because of injury," Badham said from Auckland yesterday. Astle's injury-jinx continued last season when she was struck in the face playing for New Zealand A against New Zealand and she missed the A's game against Australia. "Just having an injury-free run would be nice," said Astle who is owed some good fortune. Since first being selected for New Zealand Astle has: withdrawn with a broken thumb from a Rosebowl series in Australia in 1993-94; forced out of 1994-95 centenary series with leg injuries; fallen ill with glandular fever during a Rosebowl series in 1995-96; and pulled out of New Zealand's 1996 tour to England the day before departure with a broken finger. Astle has been ousted by several well-performed players from the New Zealand A side. The squad has had to contend with the late withdrawal of Wellington's Julie Harris who retired from New Zealand ranks, but she has not been replaced. The squad will gather at Taupo over Queen's Birthday weekend for a team building exercise before camps and clinics leading to the New Zealand v New Zealand A series at Christchurch during Labour weekend. Following that the New Zealand team will play Australia in the annual Shell Rosebowl series in Australia during November, which will serve as crucial lead-in preparation to the World Cup at India during December. National champion Canterbury has one of its "smallest" representations in recent years with just five players in the squad. The squad is: Helen Bastion, Catherine Campbell, Debbie Hockley, Karen Le Comber, Katrina Withers (Canterbury), Ceri Aldiss, Kelly Brown, Emily Drumm, Shelley Fruin, Jo Gernhoeffer, Lossie Harford, Sara McLauchlan, Clare Nicholson, Kathryn Ramel (Auckland), Justine Fryer, Jane Hunter-Sui, Maia Lewis (Wellington), Rebecca Rolls (Central Districts), Rachel Pullar (Otago). Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com).