Wellington, Sept 9:
New Zealand all-rounder Mark Chapman will remain available for the national team during the upcoming series against India after switching to a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket for the 2026-27 season.
Chapman’s new contractual arrangement will allow him to play in overseas T20 leagues while retaining eligibility for selection by New Zealand. He is expected to feature in the upcoming limited-overs series against India before turning his attention to the Big Bash League in Australia.
The 31-year-old has been a regular member of New Zealand’s white-ball teams and has played 129 international matches in the limited-overs formats. His decision reflects the changing landscape of international cricket, where players increasingly seek the flexibility to participate in lucrative franchise tournaments while continuing to represent their countries.
Chapman is expected to take up a yet-to-be-announced BBL deal after the India series. By moving from a central contract to a casual arrangement, he can pursue the franchise opportunity without giving up his international ambitions.
He is not the only New Zealand player to make use of the new flexibility. Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert have also opted for casual contracts, allowing them to balance international commitments with opportunities in overseas T20 leagues.
Chapman welcomed the arrangement and expressed his eagerness to be involved in the India series. New Zealand Cricket’s willingness to accommodate the move also reflects the increasing importance of managing players’ workloads and careers in an era when international cricket competes directly with major franchise leagues.
His decision has also created room for fast bowler Matt Fisher to receive a full New Zealand contract for the first time. Fisher’s elevation provides another indication of New Zealand’s attempt to maintain depth while giving established players greater flexibility.
The arrangement means New Zealand will still have access to Chapman’s experience for the India assignment while allowing him to pursue a significant commercial opportunity in the BBL.
The development also illustrates a broader shift in cricket’s contracting model. Rather than requiring leading players to remain tied to traditional annual central contracts, national boards are increasingly exploring flexible arrangements that allow players to move between international duty and franchise cricket without automatically sacrificing national-team eligibility.