Astle had the plaster off his hand yesterday and went out to Lincoln University for a brief hit.

``It felt fine, but it's still a bit stiff,'' he said.

He said he would not know until later in the week if there was a chance of playing for Canterbury in the home Shell Cup semi-final against Auckland on Saturday. ``We'll see how it goes.''

A win for Canterbury there would put it in the minor semi-final four days later.

Convener of selectors Brian McKechnie said New Zealand left-arm bowler Geoff Allott - another Canterbury man on the injured list with a hamstring strain - was having a jog yesterday.

Allott had also had a run with the team on Sunday before the Shell Cup game against Central Districts on Monday.

Injured players would require fitness tests to be considered for Saturday's game, McKechnie said. A Canterbury team practice is scheduled today.