New Zealand got what they had expected- a low and slow wicket without much bounce or turn – and they were well-prepared for it, said batsman Peter Fulton after day one of the first Test in Chittagong on Wednesday. The Kiwis reached 280-5 at the close of the opening day’s play, but the day could have been a lot better for them had they had not lost two wickets in the final two overs.
Fulton was involved in the key partnerships – a confidence-building 57-run opening stand with Hamish Rutherford and a solid 126-run stand with centurion Kane Williamson – to put New Zealand firmly in control before the late blows.
‘It was probably the wicket that we expected,’ Fulton, who made a patient 73 off 198 balls, said in the post-day press conference.
‘It was pretty low and slow, not a lot of bounce. As the day went on, it started to take turn. It was pretty much what we planned for.
‘We did a lot of good work in the first 85 overs. It was disappointing to lose those last two wickets.
‘We have capable batsmen to come, if we can get up around that 400 mark, it would get us in a strong position.’
Fulton was full of praise for Williamson, who cruised to his fourth Test century before being dismissed by Sakib al Hasan in the penultimate over of the day.
Williamson struck a four off the first ball he faced, driving Sakib to the cover
fence before hitting him for another boundary in the same over. It not only showed his intent but also gave some confidence to Fulton, who had been huffing and puffing for runs until he arrived.
‘He’s a very good player of spin bowling. He made it look pretty easy out there at times,’ Fulton said of Williamson. ‘Over here with the heat and humidity, you start to get tired and maybe rein yourself in a little bit. When the bad ball comes along, he is good enough to put them away.’
Fulton, who scored twin centuries in a recent Test match against England to end his long wait for a Test hundred and cement his place in the side, laboured to get to his own fifty, which consumed 156 balls.
Just when it appeared he was going to benefit from his patience, Fulton fell to part-time bowler Nasir Hossain minutes before the tea break.
‘We spoke about it in the last few days, to make it a big score when you get in,’ said Fulton, ‘So it was pretty disappointing to not be able to carry on with the job. But I am pleased with giving the team a good start today.’
-With New Age input
