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New Zealand's Pace Battery Depletes As William O'Rourke Ruled Out Of Zimbabwe Test

Akshita Patel

William O'Rourke suffers back injury [Source: AFP Photos]William O'Rourke suffers back injury [Source: AFP Photos]

New Zealand have been dealt a major blow ahead of the second Test against Zimbabwe as young pace sensation Will O'Rourke has been ruled out due to a back injury. This comes after Nathan Smith was also sidelined with an abdominal injury.

The first Test saw New Zealand crush Zimbabwe by nine wickets, putting them 1-0 up in the two-match series. O’Rourke’s pace and bounce were key elements in the team’s dominant win as he picked 3 wickets with 18.00 average.

William O’Rourke Suffers Back Injury Ahead Of 2nd Test vs Zimbabwe

According to an official statement released by Cricket Zealand, speed gun William O’Rourke has been ruled out of the second Test vs Zimbabwe with a back injury.

The tall right-arm fast bowler felt stiffness in his back during Day 3 of the first Test at the Queens Cricket Club in Bulawayo last week. Though he continued to bowl and ended with three wickets from 23 overs, the discomfort worsened, and he will now miss the series finale. 

To fill the gap, the selectors have called in Ben Lister, a left-arm pacer who is yet to make his Test debut. While Lister has played limited-overs cricket for New Zealand, this is a big opportunity for him to make a mark in the longest format. 

The team management is being cautious with O’Rourke’s workload, especially considering his injury history. With several big international assignments lined up later this year, they want to ensure the pacer gets enough rest and returns fully fit.

Before O’Rourke, Nathan Smith Was Also Ruled Out

Interestingly, William O’Rourke isn’t the only injury concern in the New Zealand camp. Earlier, Nathan Smith was also ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to an abdominal strain. Smith, who took three wickets and scored 22* in the first Test, sustained the injury on Day 2 and later underwent scans confirming the strain.

In his place, Zak Foulkes, a 22-year-old all-rounder, has earned his maiden Test call-up. Foulkes recently featured in the T20I tri-series but now steps into the red-ball squad ahead of the second Test beginning August 7 in Bulawayo.