Fulton ton seals New Zealand A's win

New Zealand A prevailed in a close finish to win the second one-dayer against Queensland at the Albury Oval in Brisbane and take the two-match series 2-0. Peter Fulton's run-a-ball century helped the visitors set a formidable total but Queensland fought hard, with Lee Carseldine scoring 102 to lead the chase, but the hosts fell short by four runs.

New Zealand's eventual total of 270 looked unlikely after wickets tumbled in quick succession and they slipped from 22 for 0 to 22 for 3. Fulton and Grant Elliott picked up the pieces with a 95-run stand for the fourth wicket and consolidated the innings. Elliott was trapped lbw for 32 by legspinner Daniel Doran but Fulton continued to build a position of strength with Neil Broom.

Fulton struck ten fours and eight sixes in his 139 while Broom's 50 came off only 47 balls. Together they raised the tempo and took New Zealand to 236 before Fulton was finally dismissed, caught by Scott Brant off Carseldine. Broom fell with the score on 258, having done enough to set up a match-winning total.

Queensland used seven bowlers - they had employed eight in the first game - but once again they were unable to take any more than six New Zealand wickets.

New Zealand's defence began on a positive note, with Mark Gillespie continuing his good form from the first match. He put Queensland on the back foot in their pursuit of 271 by dismissing opener Nathan Reardon for 10 with the score on 11.

However, Carseldine joined Clinton Perren and the pair put the run-chase back on track with a 106-run partnership for the second wicket. Bradley Scott finally broke through Perren's defences to dismiss the opener for 39 but New Zealand came up against more resistance from Aaron Nye. Carseldine and Nye added 82 in quick time to put pressure on the visitors. Brent Arnel, the Northern Districts medium pacer, struck the vital blow, bowling Carseldine for 102 off 121 balls.

Queensland lost Nye soon after, caught by Fulton off Gillespie with the score on 205, after which wickets fell regularly ensuring that the hosts fell just short of leveling the series.