Fulton's return a matter of necessity

Simon Katich is clearly a generous man. What he took away with one hand at the Gabba yesterday, he managed to return with the other.

His outstanding century in the opening test against the New Zealanders broke Kiwi hearts, but it highlighted a timely maxim for their beleaguered selectors: the past is sometimes the future.

Katich is not the first Aussie battler to make hay well after the initial harvest was due. Dropped in 2005 and left in the wilderness for nearly three years before being recalled for this year's West Indies tour, his match-dictating 131 in the second innings yesterday was his fourth century this year.

The 33-year-old's success as a late bloomer follows that of Matthew Hayden, dropped in 1997, recalled in 2000, Damien Martin, dropped in 1994, returned in 2000. And Justin Langer axed in 1993, recalled in 1998. Some of their brightest batting stars of the past five years were deemed to have failed at their first attempt.

Whatever happens at the Gabba today, New Zealand coach John Bracewell and his tour selectors Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum could do worse than think about that as they ponder their line-up for the second test in Adelaide.

Peter Fulton, on the outer since the end of last summer's home series against England, must be brought back. To persist with the status quo would be madness.

Bracewell is well known for his theoretical approach to selection and this line-up is yet another failed experiment. Excluding the matches in Bangladesh, his 2008-09 batting order (featuring McCullum at either No5 or No3) has been in dismal form, folding four times for less than 300.

The recall of Fulton could solve two glaring shortcomings: the wasteful indulgence of Grant Elliot at No7, and the reckless use of McCullum up the order. With Fulton at five, the New Zealand gloveman could slip back into his rightful position at seven, killing two birds with one stone.

The need to reintroduce some stability into McCullum's game cannot be overplayed. So often pointed to as the face of New Zealand's future, the talented little wicket-keeper has been viewed as the solution for all our problems. Outside Bangladesh or Zimbabwe, he has not yet batted through a series in the same position.

With that in mind, Fulton's recall, and McCullum's repositioning at No7 can't come quickly enough for the New Zealand team.

- © Fairfax NZ News