Due to a back ailment, New Zealand bowler Will O’Rourke will not play in the second Test match against Zimbabwe. On Day 3, the right-arm fast, who showed promise in the second innings of the first Test match in Bulawayo, suffered from back stiffness and was sent home for more medical evaluation. Ben Lister, a left-arm fast bowler, has been brought into the team as a backup.
The New Zealand team’s list of injuries now includes Will O’Rourke back stiffness.
After taking three wickets in the first Test, Nathan Smith was unable to play in the second match because to an abdominal strain. Uncapped pacer Zakary Foulkes was called up to replace him. Lister, who has not yet made his Test debut, has also joined the team as Will O’Rourke is currently out.
It is our hope that it is not too serious: Jacob Oram
Although bowling coach Jacob Oram acknowledged that the injury isn’t thought to be significant, he emphasised the need to carefully manage O’Rourke’s workload, particularly given the number of important trips that are scheduled for the upcoming year.
“We hope it’s not a serious situation. We must take care of the big guy and make sure he’s alright because he will be crucial to our team for the next six to eight months as well as for the upcoming year with all the Test cricket and our major tours. As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Jacob Oram, the bowling coach for New Zealand, stated, “We’re crossing our fingers for him and hope he’ll be back on the pitch soon.”
In the first innings of the first Test, the 24-year-old concluded with a score of 0 for 26 from 13 overs. He recovered well, though, taking 3 for 28 from 10 overs in the second innings, which included the dismissals of Vincent Masekesa, Nick Welch, and Brian Bennett.
In spite of the injury setback, New Zealand won the first Test by a commanding nine wickets. With statistics of 6/39 in the first innings and 3/51 in the second, Matt Henry was named Player of the Match. In Zimbabwe’s second innings, Mitchell Santner, who took the team’s captaincy in Tom Latham’s absence because of a shoulder injury, also claimed four wickets.
Notably, in the second game, either Matthew Fisher or Jacob Duffy will make their Test debut. Fisher was picked up just before the tour started after catching head coach Rob Walter’s eye during net practices.
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