More injury woe for New Zealand ahead of second Zimbabwe Test
A second fast bowler ruled out of the second Test in the series with Will O'Rourke sent home to New Zealand due to a back issue.
New Zealand have suffered a blow with news that key pacer Will O'Rourke is injured and will miss the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
O'Rourke experienced back stiffness on the third day of New Zealand's nine-wicket triumph over Zimbabwe in the first Test and has been sent home to undergo further assessment.
New Zealand begin their Test series against Zimbabwe with a thumping win in Bulawayo 👊
— ICC (@ICC) August 1, 2025
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It means back-up pacer Ben Lister will remain with the squad in Zimbabwe and could be in contention to win a Test debut for the second and final Test of the series that commences on Thursday.
O'Rourke picked up figures of 3/28 during the second innings for New Zealand in the first Test to help the Black Caps claim the series advantage.
The right-armer is the second pace bowler that won't feature in the second Test because of injury after all-rounder Nathan Smith was previously ruled out of the contest due to an abdominal strain.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young