Cricket: Fulton hits second ton of game

Peter Fulton became only the fifth player to make a century in each innings of a first-class match for Canterbury as they established a 216-run lead over Otago on day three of their Plunket Shield match in Dunedin today.

Canterbury began their second innings this morning facing a small first-innings deficit of 18 runs, but openers Fulton, who ended the day unbeaten on 106, and George Worker went about erasing Otago's lead.

Progress was slow and steady at the University Oval, as Otago skipper Derek de Boorder kept the pressure on with ring fields, while a low and lifeless pitch offered little for the batsmen as Canterbury closed the day at 234-5.

Fulton, who played 10 tests, 49 one-dayers and 11 Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand between 2004 and 2009, was dropped on 60 at leg gully but patiently compiled a knock that included 11 fours and one six.

His century backed up the 102 he made in the first innings. Fulton joins Michael Papps, Johann Myburgh, Gareth Hopkins and Keith Thomson in the exclusive twin-century club for Canterbury.

Fulton's second-innings century was his 11th first-class hundred and ensured that Canterbury are in with a good chance of putting pressure on the home side on the fourth and final day tomorrow.

Fulton, 33, was largely a one-man show in Canterbury's second innings as no other player managed to post a big individual score during the day, although Worker batted for two-and-a-half hours for 28.

Former international Ian Butler was the pick of the bowlers for Otago as he claimed 2-38 from 17 overs, while talented all-rounder Jimmy Neesham produced 23 overs that conceded just 25 runs and returned the wicket of Shanan Stewart.

Off-spinner Mark Craig was the other wicket-taker. He bagged 2-73 from his 32 overs.