Since making his Black Caps debut in 2018, Chapman has participated in the last two ICC T20 World Cup campaigns and has featured in 27 matches for the team (22 T20Is and 5 ODIs). He has played a number of good innings but showing his talent to extended form.
Mark Chapman was born in Hong Kong and completed his secondary education at King’s College before going on to play 128 games for Auckland and 21 international matches for his own nation.
Chapman is a strong and creative left-hander who is also a highly regarded fielder. He gives an alternative with his left-arm orthodox spin bowling. Considering all that, filling a place of Martin Guptill will not be easy for him. Guptill was front runner of New Zealand’s tran for over a decade.
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In November, Guptill became the fourth kiwi player to receive a contract release in recent months in order to seek T20 chances abroad. Before him, Trent Boult, Colin De Grandhomme and Jimmy Neesham had already withdrawn from their central contract.
Although veteran opener Guptill has been marginalised in both one-day and T20 matches for New Zealand. He was given no chance to play in the 2022 World Cup but he hasn’t given up dream of competing in the ODI World Cup in India in 2023.
Guptill will join the Melbourne Renegades on December 28 and compete for the team in Australia’s T20 Big Bash. He will replace Andre Russell for Melbourne Renegades. Should they advance to the finals, he will be available for their last 10 regular-season games.
Gary Stead, the coach of the Black Caps, said it was wonderful to see Chapman’s perseverance rewarded with a contract.
“We’re delighted to have Mark join the central contract list after being there or thereabouts for a while. He’s a fine player and we like the versatility and innovation he brings to his batting.”
“He’s a guy with a lot of talent and we see him being a big part of future Black Caps’ squads.”
Mark Chapman has been chosen for the next away ODI series against India and is most likely to be included in the T20 squad that will be announced the week of January 9.