New Zealand faces another major injury concern before ZIM vs NZ 2nd Test in Bulawayo

New Zealand continues to suffer with their injury woes going into the second Test of the two-match series against Zimbabwe at the Queens Park Oval in Bulawayo. Their right-arm pacer, Will O’Rourke, has become the latest to be ruled out of the second clash with a back injury against the Sean Williams-led side.

The Blackcaps have already lost their fast-bowling all-rounder, Nathan Smith, ahead of the second red-ball fixture, with the pace bowling all-rounder, Zakary Foulkes, getting his maiden call-up into the five-day format as the replacement for Smith. Will O’Rourke, the Canterbury fast bowler, picked up three wickets in the second innings of the encounter.

See Also: 'No surprises with...'- Alex Carey takes down England's Bazball theory ahead of Ashes 2025/26

The left-arm fast bowler from Auckland, Ben Lister, has also been called for the cover of O’Rourke, who experienced stiffness in the back during the third day of the opening Test and will now remain with the 15-member squad. The bowler has also been sent home for further medical advice in the next few weeks.

New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke ruled out of the ZIM vs NZ 2nd Test in Bulawayo

‘We are hopeful it's nothing too serious. He's so important to our side for the next six to eight months, but also next year, with all the Test cricket, we've got some big tours, we need to make sure we look after the big guy and make sure that he's okay. So we have our fingers crossed for him and hopefully he'll be back in the park soon.’ The Kiwis’ bowling coach, Jacob Oram, expressed.

Lister has claimed four wickets in the 50-over format in three innings besides earning 11 scalps in 11 T20I innings. In 34 FC matches, the pacer has picked up 82 wickets at an average of under 26 and a strike rate of 56.10. O’Rourke’s injury could open the door for either Jacob Duffy or Matthew Fisher to possibly make their Test debut.

Fisher got into the squad after he impressed coach Rob Walter as the net bowler. New Zealand’s stand-in captain, Tom Latham, missed the opening game due to a shoulder injury, with Mitchell Santner shouldering the responsibility. The second clash will take place on August 07.