Hong-Kong born cricketer Mark Chapman to make his international debut for New Zealand

New Zealand is currently playing in a tri-nation T20I series comprising of England and hosts Australia. After a loss in the opening fixture against the hosts, the Kiwis will be keen to restore their fortunes; especially with the country set to host England for a long tour after the culmination of the ongoing T20I leg.

And ahead of the all-important series, the New Zealand team management is keen to get their combinations right. In a bid to do the same, Auckland batsman Mark Chapman and Northern Districts wicketkeeper-batsman, Tim Seifert has been brought in for the remainder of the tri-series. Both the cricketers have been in sublime form of late, which eventually earned them their call-up. The pair is in for Central Districts batsman Tom Bruce and Wellington wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.

Lefthander Chapman’s selection had been foreshadowed by the selectorial advisory note when the T20 group for the three-game series against Pakistan was named. National selector Gavin Larsen also singled out Chapman as unlucky to miss selection.

The Hong Kong-born cricketer has played two ODIs and 19 T20Is for his national side. He made 307 runs at 34.11 for Auckland in the domestic T20, at a stupendous strike rate of 171.50 which serves a testament to his true potential. Chapman, who holds a dual citizenship will be playing his first-ever international match for the Black Caps.

Seifert’s big-hitting abilities favoured his selection

Seifert, on the other hand, was earlier left out when test gloveman Blundell got a chance in place of Glenn Phillips for the final match of the Pakistan rubber. Seifert’s bruising hitting has him the holder of the fastest domestic T20 century in New Zealand, his 40-ball plunder of Auckland at Mt Maunganui in December, and the third best aggregate in the Super Smash with 323 runs at 32.3 and a strike rate of 146.81. His ability to score fast, and hit deep, worked in his favour. With Bruce gone another middle order hitter was needed.

Given below is the New Zealand squad for the remainder of the T20I tri-series

Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Anaru Kitchen, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ben Wheeler.