Opening batsman Peter Fulton scored a maiden test century at the age of 34 — seven years after his debut — to guide New Zealand to 250-1 at stumps Friday on the first day of the third cricket test against England.
Fulton batted through the entire day after England won the toss and bowled, reaching 124 not out by stumps in a 171-run, second-wicket partnership with Kane Williamson (83 not out).
Fulton was 41 not out at lunch, after a 79-run opening stand with Hamish Rutherford (37) and he continued through the last two sessions to accumulate runs at a steady pace, putting on 94 runs in the second session with Williamson and 77 in the third.
Steve Finn was the only Englishman with a wicket, with figures of 1-61 at stumps. “Sometimes you can search for the wickets too much and look too far ahead,” Finn said. “We went past the edge a fair amount today and were a little bit unlucky.”
After taking 6-51 in New Zealand’s first innings in the second test, Stuart Broad was promoted to share the new ball with James Anderson and Finn was demoted to first change. But Broad never settled to a productive line and Anderson, struggling after the Wellington test with heel and back problems, was limiting but rarely threatening.
Monty Panesar bowled 25 overs, entering the attack in only the 21st over when the England seamers had been blunted. At stumps he had still taken only two wickets in the series at a cost of 122 runs apiece.
Fulton made his Test debut in 2006 and played 10 tests, with a highest score of 75 and an average of 20, before losing his place in New Zealand’s revolving door for test openers. He won a recall for this series, four years after his last test, and cemented his place Friday with an innings of technique and character.
Brief Scores
New Zealand: 250/1 (Peter Fulton 124 no, Kane Williamson 83 no; Steve Finn 1/38) against England on Day 1.