Will O'Rourke Sidelined With Back Injury as New Zealand Face Pace Setbacks Ahead of Second Zimbabwe Test

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Will O'Rourke's Injury Shakes Up New Zealand's Plans

When the Black Caps walked off the field in Bulawayo after a commanding win in the first Test against Zimbabwe, spirits were high. But just days later, their bowling lineup is in crisis mode. Will O'Rourke, the tall, 23-year-old fast bowler who helped drive that win, won't play in the next match. A stiff back, which crept up on him during the third day of the opener, has forced him back home for extra scans and recovery.

O'Rourke had been a standout in New Zealand’s victory, snagging three wickets across 23 overs and especially impressing in the second innings with 3 for 28. He looked like a fixture in the side—controlling his length, swinging the ball away from and into the batters, and regularly banging it in with decent pace. Bowling coach Jacob Oram had nothing but praise, calling out O’Rourke’s "immaculate length and line" and how he can "move the ball both ways" while still keeping opposing batsmen honest with a sharp bouncer. Losing him, especially on an overseas tour with squad depth already tested, is a punch in the gut for the Kiwis.

Pace Bowling Woes Pile Up for the Black Caps

To make things worse, O'Rourke isn’t the only quick who’ll be missing from that second Test. Nathan Smith, the young all-rounder, got ruled out after hurting his abdomen while batting on day two of the first match. The injury bug seems to be biting at the worst possible time. Zakary Foulkes, a 24-year-old speedster, suddenly gets his chance and joins the squad for what could be his maiden appearance in the baggy black cap.

And it’s not just those two. The skipper, Tom Latham, missed the opener with a shoulder injury, and whether he’ll be fit for the decider is still a toss-up. With O'Rourke and Smith out, selectors turned to Ben Lister, a left-arm quick who’s played in ODIs and T20Is but is still waiting for his first Test appearance. Lister’s most recent international match was over a year ago in Pakistan, so he’ll be itching to make up for lost time. The upcoming Test at the Queens Sports Club, starting August 7, could see a very new-look Black Caps attack.

With a packed schedule and a two-Test series on the line, New Zealand suddenly face a test of their depth as much as their skill. The mix of newcomers with seasoned hands could make for a fascinating contest—and it throws open the door to watch some lesser-known names step into the spotlight. For fans watching from home, the second Test just got a whole lot more unpredictable.