Auckland, September 08 (H.S.): New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has decided to opt out of a central contract for the 2026-27 season. He has instead accepted a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, allowing him to remain available for the Big Bash League.

Chapman will remain available for New Zealand’s upcoming home series against India. Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert are also on similar casual contracts. The upcoming season of the Big Bash League is scheduled to be played from December 12 to January 26, overlapping with New Zealand’s tour of Australia and their home limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.

In an official statement, Chapman said, “I’m grateful to New Zealand Cricket for its support throughout my career. We are all extremely excited about the upcoming series against India, and I am fully committed to performing well in that series.”

The place left vacant by Chapman’s withdrawal from the central contract list has been awarded to Northern Districts fast bowler Matthew Fisher. Fisher has received a New Zealand Cricket central contract for the first time.

New Zealand Cricket Chief High Performance Officer Daryl Gibson said, “With Matt Fisher moving onto the central contract list, a spot has opened up at Northern Districts, creating an opportunity to add another player to the contract list and continue his development. Matt has impressed in the opportunities he has received with the Blackcaps, and his express pace is certainly something we want to continue developing.”

Selection Manager Gavin Larsen said the team needed sufficient depth in its fast-bowling stocks given the demanding schedule ahead. He said, “The busy cricket programme ahead includes Test matches against India, Australia and Sri Lanka. We know we will need good depth in fast bowling to give the Blackcaps the best possible chance of success. Matt can bowl at genuine pace, which is hugely important to the balance of any team. So we’re excited to have him included on the central contract list.”

New Zealand’s home season will begin against India on October 22. The 12-match series against India will comprise five ODIs, five T20 Internationals and two Test matches, concluding on December 1.

New Zealand will then host Sri Lanka from mid-January, with the two sides scheduled to play three ODIs, three T20 Internationals and two Tests. Between the two home series, New Zealand will tour Australia for a four-Test series.

---

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar