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Mark Chapman Chooses BBL Over NZC Contract as Matthew Fisher Earns First Central Deal
Mark Chapman has chosen the Big Bash League over the security of a New Zealand central contract for 2026-27, becoming the latest BLACKCAP to shift to a casual deal in order to keep a prime T20 window open.
The left-hander has moved off New Zealand Cricket’s central list but will remain available for the upcoming home series against India, joining Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert on similar flexible arrangements.
It is a clear calculation. The 2026-27 BBL is locked in from December 12 to January 26, running directly across New Zealand’s four-Test tour of Australia (December 9 to January 8) and into the white-ball leg of the home series against Sri Lanka, which begins with three ODIs and the first T20I on January 26. Central contracts tie players to those international commitments. Casual deals do not.
Chapman has made his choice, but he has not turned his back on the silver fern just yet.
“I’m thankful to New Zealand Cricket for their support now and throughout my career,” he said. “The upcoming India series is one all us players are really excited for, and I’m committed wholeheartedly to performing in that series.”
His move immediately opened a door for someone else.
Fisher’s big step
Northern Districts fast bowler Matthew Fisher has been elevated onto the central contract list for the first time, a significant vote of confidence in his raw pace and potential impact at the highest level.
“With Matt Fisher coming onto the central contract list, it creates a space at Northern Districts to bring another athlete onto their contract list to continue their development,” New Zealand Cricket Chief High Performance Officer Daryl Gibson said.
“Matt has impressed with the opportunities he’s had for the BLACKCAPS, and his pace is definitely something we want to nurture.”
The message is blunt: New Zealand expect to need every kilometre per hour they can muster.
Selection manager Gavin Larsen framed Fisher’s inclusion squarely around the calendar that looms.
“With the heavy schedule of cricket coming up, notably the Test matches against India, Australia, and Sri Lanka, we know we’ll need good depth in our fast-bowling stocks to give the BLACKCAPS the best chance of success,” Larsen said.
“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.”
A summer that will stretch everything
New Zealand’s home summer is not just busy; it is relentless.
It begins with India in town for a 12-game epic: five ODIs, five T20Is and two Tests between October 22 and December 1. That series alone would test any squad’s depth and durability.
Then comes the Trans-Tasman examination. Between the India and Sri Lanka assignments, New Zealand cross the Tasman for four Tests against Australia, a tour that traditionally exposes any thin patches in a bowling group.
From mid-January, Sri Lanka arrive for a month-long visit of three ODIs, three T20Is and two Tests. By the time that final ball is bowled, fast bowlers will have logged heavy overs across formats, conditions and continents.
That is the landscape into which Fisher walks as a newly contracted quick, and the environment Chapman steps away from in long-form terms to pursue BBL opportunities.
New Zealand Cricket now has to balance two competing realities: an international schedule that demands loyalty and depth, and a global T20 economy that keeps tugging players towards leagues. How they manage that tension over this coming summer may shape the BLACKCAPS for years to come.
