Cricket: Fulton to debut for NZ

Canterbury batsman Peter Fulton will make his debut for New Zealand in the first of three one-day cricket internationals against Bangladesh today.

Fulton, who recently toured South Africa with New Zealand A, was named in the Black Caps starting 11 after an ankle injury ruled out Mathew Sinclair.

Fulton, 25, who scored 301 in a State Championship four-day match against Auckland in 2003, is favoured to open the innings with Nathan Astle at M A Aziz Stadium, although coach John Bracewell has not confirmed his batting order.

Other features of the team include the return of Andre Adams while Kyle Mills also gets a start after missing selection for the two tests in Bangladesh, both of which were won by New Zealand.

Daniel Vettori will captain the side for the first time after Stephen Fleming was rested from the series.

Sinclair suffered a medial ligament strain of his left ankle in the first test in Dhaka, but played in the second test here.

Team management confirmed the injury was not considered serious and Sinclair was being rested for precautionary measures.

He took a full part in training yesterday and should be available for selection for the remaining two one-dayers on Friday and Sunday in Dhaka.

Pace bowlers James Franklin and Ian Butler were omitted, with the pitch - a different one from that used in the second test - expected to be another low and slow surface.

Either one will be named 12th man.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan Astle, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Chris Harris, Andre Adams, Kyle Mills. 12th man: either James Franklin/Ian Butler.

- NZPA