Fulton's ton puts Canterbury in command
Peter Fulton put Canterbury in command on the first day of their clash against Central Districts in Christchurch
Lynn McConnell
21-Jan-2005
Peter Fulton put Canterbury in command on the first day of their clash against Central Districts in Christchurch. CD must have rued their decision to field first as Fulton rattled 154, including a century before lunch.
Fulton's hundred, his fourth in first-class cricket, was continuing evidence of his growing stature as a batsman for the future. But Canterbury missed an opportunity to build on Fulton's efforts and a middle-order slump saw three key wickets fall for 32 before a defiant seventh-wicket stand of 78, between Andrew Ellis and Paul Wiseman, revived the situation.
Considering the conditions, the CD bowlers had to work a little harder for their wickets but they did well to contain a potentially runaway situation to be in with a chance at the end of the day.
A new-look Northern Districts kept Otago down to 320 for 7 on the first day of the fourth round clash at Gisborne. Aaron Redmond and Gareth Hopkins notched up half-centuries as Otago held a small advantage when stumps were drawn.
Asking Otago to bat first, ND took a risk with five players new to their side, including four making their first-class debuts and the fifth, Alun Davis, the Glamorgan player, making his first appearance for the side. Yet, none of the Otago batsmen managed to dominate as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Redmond stroked 70, to follow-up the opening stand of 97 by Craig Cumming and Chris Gaffaney. The inexperience of the Otago attack was visible in their nervous approach and they conceded 36 extras, 16 of them no-balls. Hopkins was unbeaten on 60 at the end along with Brad Scott and the pair were capable of pushing along when play resumed.