Mark Chapman shifts to casual contract with New Zealand

New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has taken the call to shift to a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket for the 2026-27 season, in order to be available to feature in the Big Bash League.

Chapman is still available for New Zealand's upcoming home series against India, along with four other players on similar casual contracts: Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, and Tim Seifert. Chapman has opted out of a central contract. The BBL 2026-27 will be played from December 12 to January 26, which coincides with New Zealand's four-Test tour of Australia (December 9 to January 8) and the while-ball leg of their home series against Sri Lanka (three One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International on January 26).

Chapman stated, "I'm grateful to New Zealand Cricket for their support now and throughout my career." "The upcoming India series is one that all of us players are really excited about, and I will perform in that series wholeheartedly,"

Matthew Fisher, a fast bowler for Northern Districts, has taken Chapman's spot and signed his first central contract.

“Northern Districts now has room to add another athlete to their contract list so that they can continue their development with Matt Fisher joining the central contract list. Daryl Gibson, Chief High Performance Officer of New Zealand Cricket, said, "Matt has impressed with the opportunities he has had for the BLACKCAPS, and his pace is definitely something we want to nurture."

Gavin Larsen, the selection manager for New Zealand, attributed Fisher's selection to the need for fast bowling depth in preparation for a busy season.

“We know we'll need good depth in our fast-bowling stocks to give the BLACKCAPS the best chance of success with the heavy schedule of cricket matches coming up, particularly the Test matches against India, Australia, and Sri Lanka. 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 said.

From October 22 to December 1, New Zealand will play a 12-game series against India, consisting of five One-Day Internationals (ODIs), five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and two Tests. They play three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests against Sri Lanka beginning in the middle of January. Between these two full home series, they have a tour to their Trans-Tasman rivals Australia for four Tests.