Novel way for Fulton to bloom

David Fulton's form has been nothing short of a revelation this summer. The country's leading scorer with nearly 1700 runs, including eight centuries, Kent's prolific opening batsman could be excused for feeling hurt that England do not require his services this winter.

Not a bit of it. Fulton has already put his initial and disappointment to one side and started putting plan B into operation. His close season project is to write his first novel . . . about rejection.

Fulton is not your typical professional cricketer. His CV includes an honour's degree in politics and international relations from the University of Kent, qualifications as a gym instructor and a ninemonth stint as an Agony Uncle on an Australian magazine, dispensing advice under the nom de plum Dr Love.

Love is also the theme of this winter's project. Fulton explains: "Provided I can get the funding, I plan to write the male version of Bridget Jones's Diary, from a 30-yearold single bloke's perspective. I'll be 30 in November and I'm a single bloke but that's not to say it will be all about me. I've got a lot of friends to base it on."

Fulton's long-term ambition is to make his living as a writer - he contributes regularly to his local evening paper in Kent - but cricket remains the No1 passion.

"I want to make my name as a player first," he stressed. His 10th season with Kent could easily have been his last. Fulton's return from the entire 2000 season was a meagre 512 runs, at an average of 22.26. Compare that with 1687 so far this summer, average 76.66, with two matches left, starting tomorrow against Northamptonshire.

He started the season with an opening match century against champions Surrey but August was a particularly golden month.