Black Caps batting coach steps down
Former Black Caps opener Peter Fulton has returned home to his beloved Canterbury side after a year as batting coach of the national team.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed Fulton, 41, had called time on his Black Caps stint under Gary Stead and would start with Canterbury Cricket as head coach on August 1.
He succeeds Brendon Donkers whose contract expired at the end of last season, and wouldn’t say in May whether he would reapply.
Fulton succeeded Craig McMillan who stepped aside as Black Caps batting coach after the Cricket World Cup a year ago.
His first assignment was the tour of Sri Lanka, and after a torrid test series in Australia where batsmen and coaching staff were under the microscope, the highlight of his brief tenure was the 2-0 test series win over India in February.
Fulton said career advancement and the long periods away from home with the national side were contributing factors.
‘‘It’s been an honour to get back involved with the national team and I’d like to thank the players and staff for making me feel so welcome,’’ he said in a statement.
‘‘The Canterbury role appealed to me in terms of my aspirations to be a head coach and further my development in the game.
‘‘The chance to spend more time at home with my young family and coach my home province were also motivating factors in applying for the job.
‘‘I’ve still got a month to run on my contract and look forward to seeing the team at the upcoming winter camps as we return to cricket.’’
The Black Caps assemble for their first camp since lockdown at Lincoln, near Christchurch, on July 13.
Fulton played 23 tests and 49 ODIs for New Zealand, and called time on his glittering career with Canterbury in April 2017 after captaining them to the Ford Trophy (50-over) and Plunket Shield first-class double.
With Stead as head coach, Fulton lifted the Plunket Shield three times in four seasons in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
In all Fulton played 16 domestic seasons with Canterbury, finishing as the province’s first class leader in matches (121), runs (8719), catches (128) and matches as captain (66).
On retirement, Fulton was batting coach for NZ Under-19 and for two years was owner-operator of CSI Drug Testing, scoping out Christchurch properties for traces of methamphetamine.
Canterbury haven’t won a title since Fulton retired, and last season finished fifth in the Twenty20 Super Smash, second in the Ford Trophy (beaten by Otago in the elimination final) and fifth in Plunket Shield.
Black Caps allrounder Daryl Mitchell is their key off-season signing, after the retirement of skipper Andrew Ellis.
Canterbury Cricket chief executive Jez Curwin said Fulton was the preferred candidate following a ‘‘lengthy and robust’’ interview process.
‘‘We were really impressed with his approach and desire for the role,’’ Curwin said.
‘‘Fults has a very competitive personality, a desire to win and the current playing group have a great deal of respect for him.
‘‘We hope he will take players to the next stage in their development to ultimately improve and win competitions for Canterbury.’’
NZC general manager high performance Bryan Stronach described Fulton as a respected figure who contributed a lot to the Black Caps setup.
‘‘With the Black Caps entering a winter period at home we’ll take some time to consider our options in terms of a replacement for Pete.’’