Mark Chapman impressed with a half century after not featuring during the T20 World Cup. Photo / Getty
Mark Chapman impressed with a half century after not featuring during the T20 World Cup. Photo / Getty
Mark Chapman couldn't remember when he last played a competitive cricket match.
The memory lapse was understandable - it was April 1, the third T20 international against Bangladesh at Eden Park, when Chapman made 0 not out without facing a ball.
But almost eight months later, having come to thecrease in the first over of the Black Caps' opening T20 against India this morning, Chapman looked like right at home.
But Chapman provided an undeniable boost to a team barely three days removed from the World Cup final defeat by Australia, a campaign he watched from the sidelines.
The Auckland batter became the first man to score T20I half centuries for two different countries, eventually equalling the top score of 63 he recorded in 2015 for Hong Kong, the nation of his birth.
Chapman and Martin Guptill shared a 109-run stand from 77 balls as the Black Caps made 164-6 after being sent in. But India largely controlled the chase and overcame a few late wobbles to win with two balls to spare.
Mark Chapman celebrates his half century with Martin Guptill. Photo / Photosport
Even if the end result wasn't quite to his satisfaction, though, time in the middle was precious for Chapman after such a long layoff.
"This Black Caps team is pretty competitive to get into," Chapman said. "So whenever you get your opportunity you've just got to do what you can to contribute to the team, and thankfully I was able to.
"World Cups, you play your best XI, and if they're going well, more than likely you stick with your best team. It meant I was on the sideline for a bit but I just did my best to support the guys in and around training.
"You just do your best to get nice and fit, train as well as you can and be ready for your chance."
Mark Chapman bats during the first T20 cricket match between India and New Zealand. Photo / AP
Chapman certainly looked ready when, after Daryl Mitchell had been dismissed for a three-ball duck, he joined Guptill in the middle.
He initially struggled a little for timing but was aggressive in moving around the crease and soon found his touch, taking 15 runs from the final powerplay over including an effortless pull for six.
"It took a little bit to get my rhythm going, but once I faced a few balls and managed to get the pace of the wicket sorted, things tended to come back pretty quickly," Chapman said. "Guppy was keeping me pretty good company out in the middle and giving me some good advice, telling me to take my time and just watch the ball.
"It was just about building a partnership, first and foremost. We were probably a little bit slow in the powerplay but we rotated the strike pretty well through the middle and managed to accelerate after that 10-over mark."
That acceleration saw Chapman hit six fours and two sixes during a 50-ball stay, before he was deceived by the flight of Ravi Ashwin.
And having waited 230 days between games, the next is on Saturday morning, when Chapman is certain to again feature.
"It's just continuing to contribute to team performances," he said. "That's the main thing that motivates me - trying to get a series win here in India."
