Fulton's parents with him every shot of the way

Black Cap Peter Fulton could have been on the receiving end of a stern chat from his Mum last night.

Just after 11 o'clock, in the 32nd over of New Zealand's second innings against England at Eden Park, he whipped a ball in the air to midwicket.

He was dropped by James Anderson on 31 before adding a chapter to New Zealand cricket history as just the fourth test player in 83 years to score centuries in both innings of a match.

He joined a scroll which includes Glenn Turner, Geoff Howarth and Andrew Jones.

Fulton's parents Gordon and Wendy beamed. They'd flown up from Tram Rd, Swannanoa (about half an hour southwest of Rangiora) to see him bat. They've followed him to England (2008) and the Caribbean (2007) in the past.

"We walked into the ground [Eden Park] and saw him hit one in the air and get dropped. That was a relief," Wendy Fulton said. "I'm sure he dug in the previous evening because we were coming up."

There were the usual nervous moments in the 90s but they were "not as bad as the first innings", according to Gordon, who still plays for his local club Swannanoa.

Wendy couldn't restrain herself when Peter dispatched Stuart Broad over the sightscreen for a straight six to bring up his second century: "I turned to the lady behind me and said 'that's my son'."

The Fultons sold the bulk of their Canterbury farm in 2001 but have a shareholding in its conversion to a 1600-cow dairy operation. Peter is the second youngest of four boys; youngest brother David played a couple of Plunket Shield matches for Canterbury this season.

Autumn only gets better for the Fultons. Peter's set to marry Libby Retallick (sister of Blues rugby player Culum) on April 6.

"Libby wanted as many of her close family there as possible including Culum and cousin Brodie who are involved in Super Rugby. It'll be a local wedding in North Canterbury," Wendy says.

"She's at work," Gordon adds. "It's a busy time but we've been keeping her up to date.