Is Mark Chapman Next In-Line for New Zealand?
Is Mark Chapman Next In-Line for New Zealand?
We live in a World where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) changed the core of its Test Team in the Middle of a Home Series. While Cricket in Pakistan is nothing short of shambolic, I would like to briefly talk about a more Well Run Cricket Organization. New Zealand embarks on an important Three Test Tour to India this week where the only real controversy revolves around the decision to select Mark Chapman.
Before I dive into that decision, allow me to confess that I worked with Mark Chapman when I was with the Saint Lucia Stars. I recruited Mark to replace Hussain Talat. While Mark didn’t perform well in the Caribbean, his potential as a Three Format Batsman is undeniable and he’s clearly a primary option in New Zealand’s Middle Order. The Question, Is he Next In Line? What does that mean?
New Zealand’s Middle Order in Test Cricket is largely in place. Kane Williamson at No. 3, Rachin Ravindra at No. 4, Daryl Mitchell at No. 5, and Glenn Phillips at No. 6.
I view the Middle Order of a Test Team in Three Buckets. One, I believe the No. 3 Position is a Specialist Position that requires different attributes to No. 4, 5, and 6. Two, I view the No. 4 and the No. 5 Position as the Middle Order. Three. I view the No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 Position as at the Lower Middle Order. Let's briefly analyze New Zealand’s Options.
Will Young
I want to begin this process with Will Young. Young is unique in that he has the ability to Play as a Backup Opener, a No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6. While his numbers in Test Cricket are less than spectacular, I am not against his presence in the Test Squad as a Backup, keeping in mind some of New Zealand’s Limitations.
Gareth Severin
In My Quantitative and Qualitative Models, I view Gareth Severin as the Next In-Line from Positions 3-6. I say this without knowledge of Gareth Severin’s Status to Play for New Zealand keeping in mind he was born in Johannesburg and only started playing FC Cricket for Wellington in 2023.
No. 3 Position
Behind Gareth Severin my Quantitative and Qualitative Models recommend Mark Chapman as the Next In-Line at the No. 3 Position. The Problem, with Will Young already in the Squad, it doesn’t make sense to have Chapman as a Backup One Down Batsman.
No. 4 and 5 Position
I believe New Zealand have Depth in the No. 4 and 5 Positions even if the data is slightly dubious. It’s also important to know, that I don’t classify Mark Chapman as a No. 4 or 5 Batsman in Test Cricket. Certainly not on debut. According to My Models, Succession Planning in these Two Positions Goes Like This…
Gareth Severin*
Henry Nicholls
Tom Bruce
Brad Schmulian
Robert O’Donnell
No. 6 Position
My Approach to the No. 6 Position is Different to My Approach to the No. 4/5 Position. I view this Position as being a Platform for Player Development and as a Tactically Transitory Role. Unless you have a Superstar, you can change the player in this position based a wide range of tactical inputs. That said, I do believe Glenn Phillips is a Superstar. My Depth Chart in this Position looks like this…
Gareth Severin
Tom Bruce
Mark Chapman
Muhammad Abbas
Henry Nicholls
While Gareth Severin induction (If Possible) would solve New Zealand’s Squad Construction Problems, it isn’t clear if he’s available. With Will Young in the Squad, I would jump to My Depth Chart for the No. 6 Position as opposed to the No. 3, 4, 5 Positions. Instead of Selecting Mark Chapman, I would have selected Tom Bruce.
One More Thing
My Obsession with Gareth Severin notwithstanding, the Future of New Zealand’s Middle Order will partially rest with Muhammad Abbas who is just 20. It is going to be interesting to see how New Zealand navigates his Progress and Development. I also like Curtis Heaphy. Finally, while I don’t New Zealand to defeat India in India, I do believe New Zealand has the potential to be competitive. Without going into too much detail, Glenn Phillips in particular is going to be an important bowler.