Peter Fulton’s ton for the ages
‘‘I'm just stoked as a senior player to step up in a final like that and contribute’’
Peter Fulton rates his recordbreaking Ford Trophy final ton in the same category as his dual test centuries against England at Eden Park in 2013. The veteran batsman from Oxford guided Canterbury to their first domestic 50-over title since 2006 in a rain reduced 20-over match against Wellington at Rangiora’s MainPower Oval on Saturday, which they won by 28 runs.
Fulton starred on his Canterbury Country home ground, smashing 116 not out from 58 balls, which included 11 fours and seven sixes. The 38-year-old eclipsed former Black Caps’ skipper Brendon McCullum’s mark [52 balls] for the quickest New Zealand domestic one-day ton, bringing up his century off just 50 balls. Fulton was in Canterbury’s playing XI when they last captured the silverware 11 years ago in Chris Cairns’ farewell match. He ranked his matchwinning innings alongside the 136 and 110 he scored for New Zealand in a memorable 2013 test at Eden Park.
‘‘It’s right up there, to be honest,’’ Fulton said.
‘‘I’m just stoked as a senior player to step up in a final like that and contribute. It’s nice to make a big contribution to a win. That’s the main thing.’’
After playing in three losing 50-over finals for Canterbury, including last summer’s 156-run flogging by Central Districts, Fulton was delighted to at last be on the successful side. Fulton and fellow Canterbury Country batsman Henry Nicholls, who notched 31, were integral in getting Canterbury to a formidable total of 199-3, adding 117 for the third wicket. Wellington were dismissed for 171 in 19.3 overs.
The Canterbury Country seniors were in Dunedin for a double header against Otago A, playing two 50-over matches at University Oval. On Saturday, Shanan Stewart struck an unbeaten 115 to guide the visitors to 256/8. Otago A chased it down in 48.4 overs with three wickets in hand, with Ian King taking 3/50 from his 10 overs. Otago A batted first on Sunday posting 286 all out with three balls to spare. Tim Gruijters collected a five-wicket bag with 5/34. Stewart again anchored the innings for Country making 80 but after he departed at 198-5 the tail folded for 28 runs to lose by 60 runs.