Fulton aims to seal No. 5 spot

Peter Fulton, the New Zealand batsman, has said a series of omissions from the side has deepened his hunger to cement a place in the Test team. New Zealand are keeping their cards close to their chests as far as selection for Adelaide is concerned, but Fulton believed he had a shot to bat at No. 5 after the visitors' feeble batting at the Gabba.

"It was disappointing to miss out and if you look at things realistically I'll be disappointed if don't get a chance in this Test, given the way we batted in the last game," he was quoted as saying on stuff.co.nz. "It's obviously a great ground to play on, it's got a lot of history and traditionally it's very good for batsmen. If I get a chance to play and bat at five I'd be delighted but if I bat somewhere else I'd be pretty excited too. Beggars can't be choosers."

Fulton, 29, had been named in the side to play England at Trent Bridge in June but was informed by coach John Bracewell that Brendon McCullum's back worry had forced wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins into the mix. He was then overlooked for New Zealand's subsequent 3-1 win in the one-day series. Fulton had hoped for a recall in the first Test in Brisbane but was overlooked for allrounder Grant Elliott.

Stilly carrying the pain from Trent Bridge, Fulton said he was fighting fit now. "I'd dealt with all the nerves the night before and the morning of the game. To walk out to warm-ups and be told I wasn't playing was a bit surreal, I guess. It wasn't until after the Test finished that I started to get a little bit angry and frustrated about it. It took probably a month to get over that.

"I was in a pretty bad frame of mind and ready to come home," he said. "I didn't really have a break, I got straight into training three-four days after we got home. In a way it gave me a little bit extra motivation, subconsciously it gave me a bit of a kick in the arse and got me back on the right track."

Fulton last played a Test 11 months ago. A good series on New Zealand A's tour of India was followed by scores of 27 and 64 for Canterbury against Auckland before he got the nod for Australia. Fulton averages 26.22 from seven Tests and 34.41 from 44 ODIs.

He aimed to bat at 5 or 6. "My one-day record is right up there in terms of New Zealand one-day cricket, and when I'm in form and playing well I'd back myself to be in the top six batters in New Zealand," he said. "I'd rather back myself to perform well and get a spot in the middle order."