Fulton Stakes Claim
Peter Fulton is emerging as a surprise contender to face England in the third Test at Trent Bridge this week.
The events of the past three days in Northampton - which culminated in a drab draw for New Zealand - conspired to put Fulton in the reckoning for a recall.
Brendon McCullum confirmed the 6ft 7in batsman may be set to play his first Test since January, thanks mostly to his first-innings half-century at Wantage Road.
After Ross Taylor's belligerent 150 proved the highlight yesterday as the Kiwis opted for batting practice rather than a bolder declaration, McCullum gave an insight into early plans for Nottingham.
Second Test centurion Taylor maintained his form with an innings that contained 17 fours and six sixes, rescuing New Zealand from a dangerous 54 for four in their second innings and constructing consecutive century stands with McCullum himself and then Gareth Hopkins (63).
Requiring an virtually impossible 467 to win in the 32 overs remaining after the tourists called it a day at tea on 317 for seven, Northants reached 85 for two before the stalemate was confirmed.
Afterwards, McCullum - deputising as captain for the rested Daniel Vettori - had high praise not just for Taylor but Fulton and Hopkins as well.
"Peter Fulton brought himself right back into contention for Test selection with his innings - and I thought Gareth Hopkins played outstandingly too," he said.
"We saw some great contributions from some guys that we probably didn't expect to see."
McCullum will be part of the selection panel - alongside Vettori and coach John Bracewell - that decide what changes New Zealand require after going 1-0 down with one to play in the three-match series.
Chastening matches for both James Marshall and Daniel Flynn have left open the possibility of Fulton, or even reserve wicketkeeper Hopkins, entering the equation this week.
Flynn, who had his latest trip to the dentist only yesterday after losing two teeth to a Jimmy Anderson bouncer at Old Trafford last week, and the out-of-form Marshall managed only 21 runs between them from four innings against Northants.
Fulton, asked to open alongside Aaron Redmond, made 73 - as did Hopkins.
With fit-again young seamer Tim Southee almost certain to play at swing-friendly Nottingham, it seems there could yet be more than one alteration to the team from Manchester.
Yet Marshall and Flynn are both still favourites to bat at three and six, respectively.
"It's the nature of cricket that not everyone is always going to get what they need from games like this," wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum reasoned.
"Obviously it was unfortunate that Daniel and James were not able to capitalise on their opportunities."
Fulton, however, has clearly done himself no harm - in the eyes of one of New Zealand's most influential players.
"On the form he showed in that first innings, I think you'd be a fool not to consider him," McCullum added.
"It's great that you've got a guy who has been on the sidelines for so long - being a 'dirt-tracker'.
"To come out and bat like that was outstanding, particularly in a role he's not accustomed to."