Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Ben Lister – The first ever Covid-19 replacement | Ben Lister replaced Mark Chapman, who was feeling ill and had to take COVID-19 test

Just before the start of a Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Otago, 26-year-old southpaw batsman Mark Chapman underwent a Covid-19 test after feeling unwell. As a result, this gave way to Auckland seamer Ben Lister to feature in the playing XI. Chapman’s case is the first case of a coronavirus replacement in cricket history, as the sport has resumed for after a long-drawn break due to the global pandemic.

Chapman reported discomfort on Monday due to which the team had to arrange an immediate replacement. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead was present at the venue and said Chapman had been feeling ill and had to go for the test. “I wasn’t aware until I got here this morning, that Mark Chapman had been feeling ill and had to get a Covid test. But from my perspective, it’s great that he’s not penalized for doing the right thing in what is obviously different times we face in the world. Just shows that we and cricket aren’t immune to that either, so following the right protocols is definitely the right thing to do”, ESPN quoted him saying.

The ICC had approved Covid-19 substitutes for Test cricket in June. Thereafter, different domestic competitions followed suit though the organizers have been focusing on a bio-secure bubble to create a safe pathway for the sport to take place amidst the coronavirus situation. Chapman is a pretty recognized face in Kiwi cricket, having turned up for the national team in six ODIs and 24 T20Is. On the other hand, Ben Lister is a 24-year-old pacer who got into the action straight away upon being inducted in Auckland’s XI. Otago were bowled for 186 runs in the innings and Lister dismissed Cam Hawkins to claim the first wicket of the match.

The Plunket Shield started off from October 19 and is scheduled to last until April 2021. Post Chapman’s incident, the teams will arguably tend to be extra-cautious to maintain the concerned norms and thus ensure a seamless occurrence of the vital tournament.

Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.