When fast bowler Chris Martin was called up to the New Zealand team in March 2010, Astle replaced him as a substitute and collected his maiden five-wicket haul on the fourth – and final – day to spin Canterbury to victory in Queenstown. From thereon, Astle took his bowling more seriously and was Canterbury’s top wicket-taker when they won the Plunket Shield titles in 2010-11, 2013-14 and 2014-15. During those seasons, Astle especially thrived under Fulton’s captaincy and when Fulton became head coach of Canterbury, he continued to use his wristspinner as an aggressive option.