Mark Chapman Chooses BBL Over NZC Contract: Fisher Earns First Central Deal
Mark Chapman has chosen the Big Bash League over the security of a New Zealand central contract, a decision that underlines how sharply the cricket calendar now tugs at players in different directions.
The left-hander will move onto a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the 2026-27 season, freeing himself to play the BBL while remaining available for international duty when schedules allow. He is not alone. Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Tim Seifert have taken the same route, forming a small but significant group of Black Caps operating outside the traditional central-contract safety net.
Crucially for New Zealand, Chapman is still locked in for the looming home series against India.
“I’m thankful to New Zealand Cricket for their support now and throughout my career,” Chapman 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 choice is rooted in timing. The BBL 2026-27 runs from December 12 to January 26. Those dates slice straight through New Zealand’s four-Test tour of Australia (December 9 to January 8) and overlap with the white-ball leg of the home series against Sri Lanka, which starts with three ODIs and the first T20I on January 26.
For a player on a full central contract, that clash is a hard wall. On a casual deal, it becomes a door.
Fisher steps in
Chapman’s departure from the central list has opened the way for Northern Districts quick Matthew Fisher, who has been rewarded with his first-ever New Zealand central contract.
“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,” NZC 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.”
New Zealand’s selection manager Gavin Larsen went straight to the heart of Fisher’s value: speed, and lots of it, at a time when the Black Caps’ schedule demands fresh fast-bowling legs.
“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 brutal calendar
The context for all of this is a home summer that barely pauses for breath.
New Zealand start with a 12-game epic against India from October 22 to December 1: five ODIs, five T20Is and two Tests. From mid-January, Sri Lanka arrive for three ODIs, three T20Is and two Tests across a month. Wedged between those two full home series is a four-Test tour across the Tasman to face Australia.
It is the kind of schedule that stretches even deep squads. It also explains why NZC is willing to be flexible with players like Chapman while simultaneously doubling down on fast-bowling depth.
Chapman gets his BBL window. Fisher gets his shot at cementing a place in the national set-up. New Zealand, staring at India, Australia and Sri Lanka in quick succession, will soon find out if this balancing act holds.
