Former Hong Kong star Mark Chapman ready for game of his life at Cricket World Cup, after coming of age in New Zealand colours
- Mark Chapman is poised for one of the biggest matches of his life, as New Zealand prepare to play for a place in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
- The classy batsman represented Hong Kong at two T20 World Cups and was the 10th man to play ODI cricket for two different countries
Former Hong Kong prodigy and current New Zealand star Mark Chapman said he had “come of age” ahead of one of the biggest matches of his life: Thursday’s titanic Cricket World Cup clash with Sri Lanka in Bangalore.
Chapman made his Hong Kong debut, aged 16, and between representing the city’s team at the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups, made an unbeaten century on his One Day International debut, against UAE in 2015.
He moved to his father’s native New Zealand at the age of 13, and became the 10th man to play ODI cricket for two different countries when he was picked for the Black Caps in 2018.
Victory for New Zealand over Sri Lanka would likely be enough for a semi-final meeting with imperious hosts India next week. The Kiwis have lost four successive matches, after opening the competition with four victories.
“This match is among the biggest of my career, it is a World Cup, and the pinnacle of international cricket,” Chapman told the Post.
“It is a virtual quarter-final, and a must-win game. We have played consistent cricket, although it looks like a tournament of two halves, and our confidence is still high.”
Chapman said “the opportunity to play for Hong Kong, in different conditions around Asia, and in a competitive environment, was amazing for my development” – and fed into his current success.
The 29-year-old was immediately reinstalled to his team’s middle order on Saturday, following a minor calf injury, belting 39 off 27 balls, as New Zealand were beaten by Pakistan, despite amassing 401 for six.
“It is a great privilege every time I play for New Zealand, and I value that backing from the captain and coach,” Chapman said.
“Batters come of age in their late-20s and early-30s, you start to understand your method and what you are trying to do.
“You grow into yourself as a person and player. I am embracing my style of play, mixing batsmanship and stroke play with some power, because I know it works.”
New Zealand, Afghanistan and Pakistan are level on eight points and squabbling over the fourth semi-final spot.
The Kiwis, who boast the superior run rate, want to atone for a painful super-over defeat by England in the 2019 final. And in Sri Lanka, they face a team shrouded in controversy, after a court overturned the sacking of the country’s cricket board this week.
“The guys do not talk much about 2019, a few scars that cut pretty deep are still there,” Chapman said.
“But you can feel the inner drive to lift the trophy. Every team is dangerous, regardless of anything off the pitch. We are focusing only on winning, then if we boost our run rate, great. India have been formidable, but the pressure of a semi-final, with everything on the line, can do funny things to teams. Firstly, we have to reach that stage.”
Chapman said he hoped his flourishing game would merit a future opportunity to join the “melting pot of knowledge” at the all-powerful Indian Premier League.
But the left hander insisted international cricket remained “the pinnacle for every New Zealand player”, and sounded his intent to push for Test recognition.
He is optimistic, meanwhile, that cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games could be transformational for Hong Kong.
“We had support from the Hong Kong Sports Institute for a period,” Chapman said. “Our professionalism reached a new level, with the financial boost and access to physios and gyms. If cricket in the Olympics generates backing from the Institute, it could be huge for the sport in Hong Kong.”
