New Zealand player Mark Chapman has decided to ask for a casual contract with the Black Caps in an attempt to win further opportunities in franchise cricket as well. Chapman decided on the eve of New Zealand’s home summer, with the veteran expected to pursue an opportunity in Australia’s domestic Big Bash League at the end of the year as well.
He has played 150 international games, and he will still be available for selection for the Black Caps, and he is expected to be part of New Zealand’s squad for white-ball fixtures against India that begin next month on home soil. It means Chapman joins Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert as New Zealand players with casual playing contracts for the 2026/27 season as well.
“I’m thankful to New Zealand Cricket for their support now and throughout my career,” Chapman said. “The upcoming India series is one all us players are really excited for, and I’m committed wholeheartedly to performing in that series.”
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The decision by Chapman also gives a chance to the fast bowler Matt Fisher, who is promoted to the list of centrally contracted players, as he has impressed since earning an international debut towards the end of last year as well. However, Fisher collected figures of 3/40 in his most recent international fixture during an ODI against the West Indies in July as well.
“With Matt Fisher coming onto the central contract list, it creates a space at Northern Districts to bring another athlete onto their contract list to continue their development. Matt has impressed with the opportunities he’s had for the BLACKCAPS, and his pace is definitely something we want to nurture,” New Zealand Cricket Chief High Performance Officer Daryl Gibson.
“With the heavy schedule of cricket coming up, notably the Test matches against India, Australia, and Sri Lanka, we know we’ll need good depth in our fast-bowling stocks to give the BLACKCAPS the best chance of success. Matt is someone able to bowl that express pace which is extremely valuable to the balance of any side, so we’re excited to have him on the central contract list,” Larsen again said.
New Zealand men’s centrally contracted players:
Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Zak Foulkes, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young
