New Zealand Test cricketer Peter Fulton aiming to become rugby referee after missing out on central contract

Peter Fulton is aiming at a change of sport after missing out on New Zealand central contract

New Zealand international cricketer Peter Fulton after losing his place in the side owing to a wretched run of form is targetting a change of sport, and become a rugby referee next year. Fulton was not awarded a central contract for the 2014-15 season on the back of a string of low scores.

“The last couple of years I've been thinking about it and it's just been a matter of finding the time to do it, which has been a bit hard when you're still playing cricket. But it's something I'm now starting to look more seriously at.

"I made some enquiries at the start of this winter, but it was just going to be a bit hard to fit in. So hopefully next winter I can get into it,” Fulton was quoted saying to the New Zealand Herald.

The captain of Canterbury has represented the Black Caps in 23 Test matches and 49 one day internationals. Termed a Test match specialist, he battled poor form, with the highest score of 13 from last 10 innings, which forced the national board to exclude his name from the contract list. The 35-year-old however is upbeat about playing for his domestic side till the body co-operates.

"I still enjoy playing for Canterbury and I don't really see it as a step backwards, It's what I've grown up doing and what I love doing," Fulton said.

The batsman with 3 centuries and 13 half centuries in international level, wants to be a world class rugby official.

“I understand the game pretty well and always have plenty of advice to give the referees, so I guess it's a bit of a case of put up or shut up. If I'm going to do it, I guess it's like most things I've done with my sporting career - I want to try to do them as well as I can and go as high as I can.

"I'm under no illusions as to it being tougher than it looks, but it's definitely something I'd be committed to," he stated.

Nicknamed as "two-metre Peter," Fulton was a rugby full back in his early days before choosing cricket over it. He has even officiated in his school days.

"A couple of times during the season the referee didn't show up, so I had to get out there with the whistle myself. Even though it was only schoolboy level, it was certainly an interesting experience with the coaches on the sideline and the parents and everyone keen to give their advice."

Fulton’s last Test match was against West Indies at Kingston where he made 1 and 0. His best performance came in 2013 against England where he hit centuries in both the innings of a Test.