The Fulton Debate

I have been reticent in calling for either openers replacement and on record have suggested both current openers go to the West Indies in the least, if not beyond.  I hear on talkback radio people baying for Fultons blood but to be honest what has he done wrong as an opener?  If one were to look at the innings both he and Rutherford have fashioned there are some stark similarities.  However if one were to focus on the last ten innings then yes Fulton is a fair game candidate for derision, but not axing.

I hear too on Talkback the calls for Latham to be included.  Yes he has promise, but fair to say too early and being dumped into the team versus a West Indies team that will have most of it's best players (and bowlers) back is like sending Ken Rutherford back into the fray with probably the same results.  Stick with the current partnership for this series, if changes need to be made, then make them after two tests or for Pakistan.

The stats.

Incumbent NZ Openers since Feb 2013 v England
	Fulton					Rutherford
	55					178
	1					23
	45					15
	136					37
	110					0
	2					4
	1					9
	28					27
	5					42
	73					34
	59					32
	14					13
	61					62
	3					20
	6					11
	11					10
	10					48
	13					6
	5					0
	13					12
	1					35
Aggregate	652	137	Last 10 innings		Aggregate	618	217	Last 10 innings
Average	31.0	13.7	Average last 10		Average	30.9	24.1	Average last 10