Fulton back in NZ team

IAIN MCGREGOR/The Press

PARTNERS IN CRIME: Shane Bond, left, and Chris Martin were picked for the Black Caps yesterday. Will the Canterbury new-ball duo open up against Pakistan next week?

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Wondering how QEII Park might play next week, when Canterbury host Auckland in the Plunket Shield, was the main cricket matter on Peter Fulton's mind.

But that changed abruptly yesterday when the 30-year-old batsman was named in a New Zealand squad of 13 for the two-test series against Pakistan, starting in Dunedin on Tuesday. Unwanted at test level since November last year, Fulton was caught on the hop by his selection.

"It's a nice surprise to get, especially after a game like that," Fulton said after Canterbury beat Otago by 115 at Rangiora.

"When I missed out on the [New Zealand Invitation] team to play [Pakistan] down in Queenstown, I was obviously pissed off. At the back of your mind, you always sort of know that if you score enough runs you can force your way into contention, and that's how it's worked out.

"Missing out on Queenstown was obviously an indication that I wasn't really in the frame last week, but the runs I've scored this week has helped push my case."

After making 172 in Canterbury's first innings against Otago, Fulton backed it up with 77 second time round.

"I was really pleased with how I batted, actually. Just the amount of time I was able to spend at the crease and the tempo that I batted with.

"It was quite even all the way through."

After only accumulating 272 runs, at 24.72, in his eight previous tests, he feels good about returning to the fray.

"The last nine to 12 months have obviously been pretty disappointing selection-wise, and missing out on a [New Zealand Cricket] contract. I've had time to reassess where I'm at, and test cricket is where I want to be, and I worked pretty hard over the winter."

Also back, after a two-year test absence, is fast bowler Shane Bond. He got through 40 overs against Otago, with a match-analysis of six for 148.

"I'm a bit sore, but I enjoyed it. If anything, it's my upper body that's more stiff than anything else. The legs feel good," Bond said.

"I love this form of the game and we had to work bloody hard and this is my favourite form of cricket. It's the most rewarding."

And the ideal preparation for Pakistan.

"To come off a wicket this flat can only be good for you. Anything loose got punished.

"I'm just excited now. You're always going to be a little bit nervous but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Bond's Canterbury new-ball partner Chris Martin was also named in the New Zealand XIII.

BLACK CAPS Daniel Vettori (captain), Shane Bond, Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey.