Two in line for Black Caps debut

Cricket365
February 7, 2018

Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert are in line to make their Black Caps debuts having been named in the T20 squad for the remainder of the Tri-series against England and Australia.

Chapman, who has represented Hong Kong in the past but is eligible for New Zealand, averaged 34.11 at a strike-rate of 171.50 in this year’s Super Smash.

Seifert averaged 32.30 at 146.81 and was the third leading run scorer in the competition.

They replace Tom Bruce and Tom Blundell in the squad which recently played Australia, while Seth Rance also drops out as the squad is reduced to 13.

Selector Gavin Larsen said that the selectors had been watching Chapman’s progress.

debut

“Mark has been been very consistent over the past couple of seasons and has taken his game to another level in recent times,” said Larsen.

“His ability to hit the ball in all areas makes him a real threat and we’ve seen in the domestic competition some of the power he possesses.”

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Larsen acknowledged that dropping Blundell was a tough decision, but said Seifert added a slightly different dimension.

“It’s hard on Tom Blundell, but with Tom Bruce not in the squad we wanted to inject some further power into that middle order and Tim has shown he’s one the most dynamic in the country at that.

“We have some strong options with the gloves at the moment, but it’s about what best complements the rest of the squad and we think that’s Tim for this series.”

The Black Caps play their next match against England at Westpac Stadium on 13 February.

Black Caps squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Tim Seifert, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler.