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AUCKLAND, Sunday (Reuters) - New Zealand, who currently lead the triangular one-day series involving Australia and South Africa, want opening batsman Nathan Astle to prove himself 100 percent fit before he is recalled to the national squad.

Astle broke a bone in his right hand during the recent test series against Bangladesh and the New Zealand selectors insist he now plays in two provincial one-day games for Canterbury before he is considered for an international recall.

"Nathan would need to play on Sunday for his own confidence," chairman of selectors Richard Hadlee told reporters on Saturday.

"He needs to come through that, and back it up with another game on Tuesday, before the medical panel would clear him and before we'd be interested in sending him back."

Astle, who has scored 11 centuries and 4,661 runs in 139 one-day internationals for his country, injured his hand during the first test against Bangladesh in Hamilton last December.

Although New Zealand beat South Africa by four wickets in Brisbane on Saturday night to go to the top of the triangular series standings, they need more stability from their opening partnership.

A fit-again Astle would certainly help solve this problem.

New Zealand have a week off before facing Australia in their next tri-series match.

Australia play South Africa in Brisbane this Sunday. 

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