Bulfin's walk-out rattles NZC (17 July 1999)

17 July 1999

Bulfin's walk-out rattles NZC

John Coffey

When Wellington fast bowler Carl Bulfin walked out on an agreement to play for Nottinghamshire he embarrassed New Zealand Cricket and shocked his New Zealand team-mates, said NZC chief executive Christopher Doig.

NZC arranged with the England Cricket Board and Nottinghamshire for Bulfin, a member of New Zealand's World Cup squad but not required for the current tour of England, to make up to 10 appearances for the county's second XI.

But after playing against Surrey at The Oval last month Bulfin packed his kit and left. He reportedly accused Notts of fielding poorly and having no 12th man or physiotherapist.

"We organised it with Notts and the England Cricket Board. Carl was happy for us to do that and was keen to do it. But after one game, for whatever reason, he decided not to do it," said Doig, who was in England at the time.

"The first we heard about it was getting a copy of press reports from New Zealand. We have had to mend a few bridges in England. His remarks were ill-considered. It's very embarrassing."

Doig said the New Zealand camp was "dismayed" at Bulfin's decision to renege on the deal.

"I would say the whole group, including the players, were shocked and disappointed. The Management and the players felt it was a rash thing to be doing."

Since Bulfin's departure fast-medium bowlers Simon Doull and Shayne O'Connor have suffered injuries, reducing New Zealand's options for next week's second test at Lord's. Auckland's Chris Drum is on standby should Doull be forced out of the tour. But Doig stopped short of demanding a written apology, either to NZC or Notts, from Bulfin, and does not believe the incident will have any long-term damaging effects on his career. Bulfin's contract had ended after the World Cup tournament.

"It's not going to be an inquest or anything like that. I think he's got a lot of learning to do, a bit of growing up," Doig said.

"What it indicates is an attitudinal problem which is something we have to address with him. I want him to sit down with me, talk this through, and try to get the lad to understand the ramifications of an act which was ill considered."

That discussion is not expected to take place until Monday. Bulfin only arrived back in New Zealand on Thursday night and, according to Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson, would make no comment until he had spoken to Doig.

"If Carl knew how much trouble New Zealand Cricket went to to put the position in place for him at Notts I'm quite sure he would not have packed up as soon as he did," said Johnson, adding that Bulfin had also been hampered by injury during his appearance for Notts.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)