New Zealand cricket team batter Mark Chapman has been in the headlines recently thanks to his exploits on the field.
His stunning form against Pakistan in limited-overs cricket has put him in the reckoning for the Kiwis squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup later this year.
Called up to the ODI squad on the back of great form in the recently concluded T20I series against Pakistan, Chapman will be looking to capitalise on his latest opportunity and make the most of his chances with the New Zealand squad in the ODI format.
He finished the T20 series against Pakistan as the top-scorer with 290 runs. His knock in the fifth T20I will especially stand out and live on in the memories of New Zealand fans thanks to his stunning rescue act for the Kiwis.
Entering the middle with the score reading 26/3 as the Blackcaps looked to chase 194, Chapman went on to produce a magical innings that transformed not just the match but perhaps even his longterm future with the New Zealand limited-overs setup.
After walking to the crease with New Zealand in all sorts of trouble in the last T20I, he scored an unbeaten 57-ball 104 to help the Kiwis win the match and tie the series 2-2. But who is Mark Chapman? Let’s take a closer look.
Who is Mark Chapman?
Mark Chapman is a 28-year-old limited-overs cricket player for the New Zealand national team. A left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, the all-rounder was born in Hong Kong. His father Peter was from New Zealand and was a crown prosecutor in Hong Kong, while his mother Anne was a local from Hong Kong and worked in finance.
Chapman initially attended Island School in Hong Kong before joining King’s College in Auckland, New Zealand. He then moved on to the University of Auckland to study engineering before representing Hong Kong’s under-19 team in the 2010 under-19 World Cup.
However, he would have to wait for another four years to make his international debut for Hong Kong. His first taste of international cricket came in 2014 when he represented Hong Kong in a T20I and one year later, Chapman made his ODI bow as Hong Kong faced UAE.
His first T20I and ODI matches in New Zealand’s colours, though, came in 2018. In Februrary 13th of the year, he played for New Zealand against England in his first T20I for the Kiwis and thereby became the sixth cricketer to participate in 20-over internationals for two different countries.
He also joined a select group of players who represented two countries in ODI cricket when he made his 50-over bow against England on February 28.
Photo credit: Alamy
