New Zealand Ask Batting Coach Peter Fulton To Don Test Whites After Suffering Another Illness Blow
Published - 04 Jan 2020, 11:28 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 06:33 AM
A surprising scene was witnessed in Sydney on Saturday when New Zealand’s batting coach Peter Fulton was sitting with Test whites on. The former opener had retired from the game in 2017 before being appointed the batting coach of the Black Caps.
The reason behind Peter Fulton wearing the Test whites once again is New Zealand’s depleted squad. On Saturday, New Zealand lost another player as recalled batsman Jeet Raval became the latest player to be struck down by illness as the touring side were reduced to 12 fit players – one of them with a broken thumb.
Raval didn’t take the field on day two and was laid out on the physio’s table in the Sydney Cricket Ground dressing room. Kyle Jamieson took the field to replace Raval and it meant Tim Southee was the only fit reserve to run the drinks. And then batting coach Peter Fulton was seen in whites as next substitute fielder in line.
Raval suffered the same illness that ruled out captain Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner from the third test against Australia. Before Raval, Matt Henry had broken his thumb on day one of the Test. A controversial pick ahead of senior man Southee, Henry was hit on his hand from a drive from Australian opener Joe Burns early on day one.
He left the field for treatment then returned to end day one with 0-68 off 21 overs. Henry underwent an x-ray on Friday night which confirmed a broken thumb on his non-bowling hand, the Black Caps said in a statement. It was strapped and placed in a splint. He is set to bowl in the remainder of the game but would bat only if the situation needs him.
Before Henry, New Zealand had suffered other injury blows too. Lockie Ferguson was sent home with a calf strain suffered on test debut in Perth before senior pacer Trent Boult had his right hand broken by a Mitchell Starc bouncer in the second Test which ruled him out of the third test.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket’s official Twitter handle took to the social media platform to post a picture of Peter Fulton dressed up in whites and sitting beside Southee.
“Peter Fulton is in the whites with Jeet Raval the latest to suffer from the flu ? Boys fighting on the park – Will Somerville with the early wicket of Wade ?,” wrote New Zealand Cricket.
Peter Fulton is in the whites with Jeet Raval the latest to suffer from the flu ? Boys fighting on the park – Will Somerville with the early wicket of Wade ?
?? CARD | https://t.co/EPIJotM8GY#AUSvNZ #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/5agcuwhi4i
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 4, 2020
As far as the match is concerned, Australia rode on Marnus Labuschagne’s maiden Test double century to post a daunting total of 454. Australia have already wrapped up the series by winning the first two games.
