to South Africa, Astle incurred media criticism along with fellow New Zealand cricket team teammates Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall and James Marshall, for a slump in form. As a result of this, he was dropped from the national team. However he returned to the side in 2006 for the home series against West Indies. He scored 118 not out at Christchurch, and ended up as New Zealand's leading run scorer of the tournament. Over the New Zealand summer, he scored 690 ODI runs from 11 matches at an average of 54.2. He received the "2005–2006 Walter Hadlee Trophy for Best New Zealand One-Day International batsman". Retirement While expected to make his fourth World Cup appearance, Astle announced his retirement from international cricket, while he was playing in the Commonwealth Bank Series, on 26 January 2007. He cited lack of motivation and his "patchy form" in the recent matches as reasons for retiring. He played his last One-Day International on 23 January 2007 against England at the Adelaide Oval. Playing style and influences Astle has been described as the best ODI batsman New Zealand has ever produced. Apart from his role as a batsman, he was also an occasional partnership-breaking medium pace bowler and a competent slip fielder. Because of this multi-utility option he always enjoyed selection in the team but his laid-back attitude resulted him never been considered for the captaincy, despite his seniority. Outside cricket Astle has also been a competent soccer player, playing for Rangers A.F.C. in Christchurch, a club which also at one time had fellow cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee among its players. Astle also took up Auto racing in early 2010, competing predominantly at Woodford Glen Speedway, Christchurch, driving a Modified. Honours and awards The New Zealand Cricket Almanack named him the "Player of the Year" on three occasions – 1995, 1996 and 2002. For his efforts, Astle received the "Player of the Year" award in 1998. He was also named New Zealand's "One-Day International Batsman of the Year" in 2006. In the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours, Astle was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to cricket. Records During his career, Astle scored 16 ODI centuries. As of the end of 2019, this is the equal second highest for a New Zealander, and equal 21st overall. He holds the record for most ducks (getting out without scoring) in World Cups,