New Zealand's O'Rourke ruled out of India series

Auckland: Test pacemaker Will O’Rourke will miss New Zealand’s upcoming home series against India due to hamstring and calf injuries, with the focus now on his rehabilitation ahead of the four-Test tour of Australia in December. The 25-year-old fast bowler was sidelined earlier this year after recovering from a back stress fracture, but his return was curtailed by a hamstring tear in June and a calf strain in late August.

New Zealand coach Rob Walter explained that the decision to sideline O’Rourke was taken jointly with the player and medical staff, aiming to provide him with ample time to recover and rebuild his bowling workload. The Blackcaps are prioritizing pace bowling resources for the critical period, with O’Rourke expected to return for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield in late December and ideally be fit for the first Test against Australia on December 9.

The absence of O’Rourke, who has taken 49 wickets in 14 matches since his Test debut in 2024, is a setback for New Zealand’s pace attack as they prepare for their India tour, which includes T20s, ODIs, and two Tests.