Former Hong Kong player earns New Zealand call-up ahead of England tri-series meeting

New Zealand called up former Hong Kong representative Mark Chapman on Thursday in a bid to strengthen their Twenty20 batting in the wake of last week’s tri-series drubbing by Australia.

Chapman and wicketkeeper Tom Siefert were included in the Black Caps’ 13-man squad at the expense of Tom Bruce and Tom Blundell.

It comes after the New Zealanders slumped to a seven-wicket loss in their opening tri-series match against Australia in Sydney.

Chapman, 23, has played two ODIs and 19 T20s for Hong Kong but is eligible to play for New Zealand through his Kiwi father.

He has been in fine form for Auckland in the domestic T20 competition, averaging 34.11 at a strike-rate of 171.50, including 117 off 104 balls against Wellington last Sunday.

Mark Wright, Cricket Hong Kong director of cricket, said: “Mark has been an excellent contributor to Hong Kong cricket and we are proud of him for the manner in which he plays the game and his undoubted talent. We wish him every success as he embarks on his career with New Zealand cricket.”

Could Hong Kong-born Mark Chapman play for New Zealand given his fine form for Auckland?

Siefert, also 23, has averaged 32.30 at 146.81.

New Zealand play their next tri-series match against England in Wellington on Tuesday, when they will seek to bounce back from three straight losses in the ultra-short form of the game.

Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse