Two in line for BLACKCAPS debut

Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert are in line to make their BLACKCAPS debut, having been named in the T20 squad for the remainder of the G.J Gardner Homes Tri-Series against England and Australia.
 
Chapman, who has represented Hong Kong in the past but is eligible for New Zealand, averaged 34.11 at a strike-rate of 171.50 in this year's Burger King Super Smash. Seifert averaged 32.30 at 146.81 and was the third leading run scorer in the competition.
 
They replace Tom Bruce and Tom Blundell in the squad which recently played Australia, while Seth Rance also drops out as the squad reduces to 13.
 
BLACKCAPS Squad
Kane Williamson (c) - Northern Districts
Trent Boult - Northern Districts
Mark Chapman - Auckland
Colin de Grandhomme - Auckland
Martin Guptill - Auckland
Anaru Kitchen - Otago
Colin Munro - Auckland
Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts
Ish Sodhi - Northern Districts
Tim Southee - Northern Districts
Tim Seifert - Northern Districts
Ross Taylor - Central Districts
Ben Wheeler - Central Districts
 
BLACKCAPS Selector Gavin Larsen said that the selectors had been watching Chapman’s progress.
 
“Mark has been been very consistent over the past couple of seasons and has taken his game to another level in recent times,” said Larsen.
 
“His ability to hit the ball in all areas makes him a real threat and we’ve seen in the domestic competition some of the power he possesses."
 
Larsen acknowledged that dropping Blundell was a tough decision, but said Seifert added a slightly different dimension.
 
“It’s hard on Tom Blundell, but with Tom Bruce not in the squad we wanted to inject some further power into that middle order and Tim has shown he’s one the most dynamic in the country at that.
 
“We have some strong options with the gloves at the moment, but it’s about what best complements the rest of the squad and we think that’s Tim for this series.”
 
The BLACKCAPS play their next match against England at Westpac Stadium on 13 February.

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