Fulton and Hopkins to join BLACKCAPS

Peter Fulton and Gareth Hopkins will join the BLACKCAPS in Brisbane on Monday to cover for illness and injury in the squad.

Hopkins, who was always going to join the team in Brisbane but not until later in the week, is arriving earlier after wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum could not field during the last session today against New South Wales because of back spasms.

Fulton, who was named in the original 15-man squad, was not to travel to Australia, but illness to Jesse Ryder has prompted his recall.

While both McCullum and Ryder are expected to be fully fit for the first test starting in Brisbane on Thursday, all 15 members of the squad are available for selection.