Blackcaps batter Mark Chapman will continue his push for a spot in New Zealand's plans for this year's Cricket World Cup, after a late elevation to the ODI squad to face Pakistan over the coming week.
Chapman, 28, was player-of-the-series in New Zealand's 2-2 Twenty20 series draw against Pakistan, and has been included in the Blackcaps' squad for the five one day matches to come, starting on Thursday night (NZ time).
In five innings, Chapman scored 290 runs - including a game-winning 104 not out to square the series in the finale on Tuesday (NZ time).
Initially overlooked for the ODIs, the left-hander was promptly told to unpack his bags after Tuesday's win, having been scheduled to fly home after the T20 series.
Chapman's form is timely for the Blackcaps, with captain Kane Williamson almost certain to miss this year's World Cup in India with a knee injury.
After two games for Hong Kong at ODI level - including a career-best 124 not out on debut - Chapman has played just five 50 over games for New Zealand, but failed to take his chance, despite a maiden Blackcaps century of 101 not out against Scotland in his last outings.
Chapman will face stiff competition from the likes of Will Young and Henry Nicholls to fill Williamson's shoes at No.3 in the World Cup batting order, with a handful of matches left for hopefuls to push their cases.
The upcoming series in Pakistan, though, will give Chapman a chance to remedy that, as stand-in captain Tom Latham outlines he's earned his chance to push for a regular spot.
"Obviously, [for] someone like Mark Chapman, he's been in fantastic form throughout that T20 series and initially wasn't picked," he said.
"But I think when someone's in the form he's in at the moment, and I guess the way he played - not only in that last game, but in the game beforehand, it's great we can include him in this squad as well."
Meanwhile, Latham was coy on his own leadership prospects, due to Williamson's injury.
At present, only test captain Tim Southee could realistically vye with Latham for the chance to lead the Blackcaps at the World Cup.
But with time ticking before the tournament begins later this year, Latham asserts the World Cup is at the back of his mind.
"I'm solely focussed on this series, at this stage," said Latham. "I'm sure later on down the track, we'll work out what that looks like from a leadership point of view.
"We're certainly focussing on this series at hand first."
At present, the Blackcaps have five ODIs against Pakistan, and another four against England in September as their last confirmed games before the World Cup begins at the end of October.
