New Zealand’s pace attack has taken another hit on their Zimbabwe tour, with Will O’Rourke ruled out of the second Test following Nathan Smith’s earlier injury setback.
O’Rourke experienced some stiffness in his back on the third day of the first Test, and that is why he won’t be available for the upcoming match.
Ben Lister, who was already in the squad during the first Test as O’Rourke’s cover, will now stay with the team. The left-arm pacer is expected to fill in.
In the first Test in Bulawayo, O’Rourke didn’t take any wickets in the first innings but claimed three wickets in the second. He has made a solid start to his Test career, picking up 39 wickets in 11 matches so far.
With both O’Rourke and Smith sidelined due to injury, New Zealand’s XI for the second Test will see at least two changes. There is a chance that among Zakary Fox, Jacob Duffy, and Matt Fisher, two will make their Test debuts. Fox and Duffy have both represented New Zealand in limited-overs formats, with Duffy currently ranked as one of the top T20 bowlers. For Fisher, it would be his first international appearance.
The second Test begins on Thursday. New Zealand leads the series 1-0 after their nine-wicket victory in the first match.
Captain Tom Latham missed the first Test due to injury, with Mitchell Santner making his debut as Test captain in his place. Whether Latham will play in the second Test depends on the results of his fitness tests.
