The New Zealander who chose franchise cricket
Chapman is a left-handed batter who bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin, and his game is made for the middle overs. He is strong against spin, inventive against pace, and comfortable batting anywhere from three to six. That flexibility is why Adelaide wanted him.
His decision to leave the New Zealand central contract system is the story behind the signing. Chapman has played white-ball cricket for New Zealand for years, but he has chosen the franchise path — and the Strikers are the first club to benefit. It is a gamble for a player and a statement for a club.
A New Zealand international with a big-game record
Chapman has been part of New Zealand’s white-ball sides for years, playing one-day and T20 internationals and featuring in World Cup squads. He has scored international hundreds in both white-ball formats, including a century against Pakistan, and his T20 game has grown with every season of franchise cricket around the world.
He is also a player who knows Australian conditions. New Zealand’s tours of Australia and his franchise stints have given him plenty of time on Australian pitches, so the BBL is not a new environment for him — it is a new team in a familiar league, and that should help him settle quickly.
What Chapman brings to BBL|16
Chapman is one of the announced contracted players for BBL|16 — the full squad has not been announced yet — and his role is the middle-order anchor who can also finish. With Alex Carey and Matt Short at the top and Ben Stokes behind him, Chapman is the link between the two — the batter who keeps the scoreboard moving when the pace bowlers return.
Watch his match-up against spin. Chapman’s best work comes against slow bowling in the middle overs, and if he can dominate that phase, Adelaide’s power hitters arrive with a platform. There are no BBL|16 numbers for Chapman yet; the season starts on 12 December, and his Strikers debut comes against Sydney Thunder on 16 December.
What’s next
BBL|16 runs from 12 December 2026 to 26 January 2027. The opener is Match 1, Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers, on Saturday 12 December at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai — the first BBL match played outside Australia — starting at 2:40 PM IST (2:10 PM PKT). Mark’s team, the Adelaide Strikers, open their campaign in Match 3. The full list of every BBL fixture is on the BBL Schedule.
- Match 3 — Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder: Wednesday 16 December 2026, 1:45 PM IST (1:15 PM PKT), Manuka Oval, Canberra (Away).
- Finals: The finals are the Qualifier on 19 January, the Knockout on 20 January, the Challenger on 23 January and the final on 26 January, Australia Day. Finals venues and times are still to be confirmed.
- Points: Eight teams play ten league matches each. A win is worth 2 points, a no result is worth 1, and the top four qualify for the finals, with net run rate deciding places when teams are level on points.
Follow every BBL result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Mark Chapman leave New Zealand’s central contract?
Chapman relinquished his New Zealand central contract to pursue franchise cricket opportunities, and Adelaide Strikers signed him for BBL|16.
What is Mark Chapman’s role for Adelaide Strikers?
He is a left-handed middle-order batter who bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin. His job is to score quickly through the middle overs and link the top order to the finishers.
When is Adelaide Strikers’ first match?
Match 3 against Sydney Thunder on Wednesday 16 December 2026, starting at 1:45 PM IST (1:15 PM PKT) at Manuka Oval in Canberra.