Chapman called up to ODI squad after T20 series heroics

Mark Chapman.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Mark Chapman has been rewarded for his record breaking T20 series against Pakistan by being added to the Black Caps one-day squad for the five-game series against the hosts, which starts on Thursday.

The Auckland batter belted an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls in the Black Caps six wicket win in Tuesday’s fifth and final T20 in Rawalpindi as the tourists drew the series 2-all.

Chapman scored 290 runs over the five matches, the most by any player in a five game T20 series.

Black Caps head coach Gary Stead said Chapman’s performances throughout the T20 series have been extremely compelling

“The way Mark’s played against one of the best T20 bowling attacks in the world has been nothing short of outstanding.

“His match-winning knock in the fifth and deciding match was particularly special and we’re happy to have someone in such strong form added to our ODI squad.”

Chapman’s total runs tally of 290 is the most by any player in a five-game T20I series.

The Black Caps tour party will expand to 16 with the addition of Chapman and new arrivals Tom Blundell and Henry Nicholls, while T20 squad member Dane Cleaver is returning home to New Zealand as planned.

On Tuesday morning, Chapman scored a century off 54 balls as the Black Caps recovered from losing two wickets in the first over to claim a series levelling win.

Batting first, the hosts reached 193 for 5 from their 20 overs with opener Mohammad Rizwan not out on 98.

Paceman Blair Tickner took three wickets for New Zealand.

The Black Caps chase got off to a horror start when they lost opener Tom Latham on the very first ball of the innings before Will Young was dismissed later in the over.

New Zealand lost two more wickets, with Chad Bowes out for 19 and Daryl Mitchell removed for 15.

Chapman then entered the fray and scored an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls as he and Jimmy Neesham (45 not out off 25 balls) guided the tourists to victory with four balls to spare.

Chapman hit 11 fours and four sixes in his innings.

Chapman scored 34 in the first T20, 65 not out in the second, 16 not out in the third, 71 not out in the abandoned fourth T20 and an unbeaten 104 in the fifth match to record 290 runs for the series at an average of 58 runs per game.

Some pundits believe he should be included in the squad for the one-day World Cup later this year.

The T20 series ends in a 2-all draw with Pakistan and the Black Caps teams next playing a five match one-day series starting in Rawalpindi on Thursday.