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.

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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.

The 23-year-old New Zealand right-arm fast bowler Will O'Rourke made his IPL debut on Monday evening (May 19), as he is serving for Lucknow Super Giants against SunRisers Hyderabad during the 61st match of the IPL 2025 in Lucknow.

New Zealand fast bowler Will O'Rourke has joined the LSG squad as the replacement for Indian pacer Mayank Yadav, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. After SRH captain Pat Cummins chose to bowl first, LSG captain Rishabh Pant confirmed the Blackcaps pacer's IPL debut.

IPL debutant Will O'Rourke has solid impact in early international career

The right-arm fast bowler Will O'Rourke has impressed recently with his top-quality bowling performances. After making his international cricket debut in December 2023, he has played 32 international matches. He has recorded 36 wickets in 10 Tests, 22 wickets in 17 ODIs, and five wickets in five T20Is.

Before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand played an ODI tri-series along with South Africa and the hosts Pakistan. While the Blackcaps won that tri-series, Will O'Rourke won the Player of the Match award in the final (4/43) and finished the tournament as the joint leading wicket-taker with six wickets. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, he took six wickets in five games.

Will O'Rourke is now playing his first match in any overseas franchise T20 cricket. The right-arm fast bowler has taken 37 wickets in 38 T20 matches, including one four-fer. 

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IPL 2025: LSG need to win all remaining matches

In the meantime, it is a must-win match for LSG to stay in the Playoffs battle for the IPL 2025. They are in seventh place with 10 points after 11 matches (five wins and six losses), as they can't afford any more hiccups in this tournament.  

New Zealand’s cricket team faces a significant blow ahead of the second Test against Australia as Will O’Rourke has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. This injury has prompted the selectors to turn to uncapped pacer Ben Sears to fill the void left by O’Rourke’s absence.

Despite recent retirement, Neil Wagner will not be making a surprise return to the national team. Instead, Sears, with experience in 13 T20 internationals, has a chance to make his Test debut when the match kicks off at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The decision not to recall Wagner underscores the selectors’ confidence in Sears’ abilities. Coach Gary Stead has praised Sears’ genuine pace and bounce, considering them valuable assets in Test cricket. Stead’s belief in Sears’ potential to step up to the challenge of Test cricket suggests that the young bowler could play a crucial role in the upcoming match against Australia.

Ben Sears’ Potential Debut Amidst Injury Woes

Meanwhile, Australia holds a 1-0 series lead after securing a convincing victory over New Zealand in the first Test at the Basin Reserve. As the series shifts to Christchurch, New Zealand will be eager to level the playing field on their home turf. The absence of key players like O’Rourke poses a challenge, but Sears’ inclusion injects a sense of anticipation and opportunity into the team’s lineup.

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The upcoming Test presents a pivotal moment for both teams, with Australia aiming to extend their lead and New Zealand determined to stage a comeback. Sears’ potential debut adds an intriguing subplot to the match, offering fans a glimpse into the future of New Zealand cricket. With the series finely poised, all eyes will be on Hagley Oval as the battle between these two cricketing rivals unfolds.