Will O’Rourke, New Zealand’s seamer, will miss the second Test against Australia in Christchurch this week due to a hamstring strain.
Will O’Rourke, the Black Caps seamer, will miss the second Test against Australia in Christchurch this week due to a hamstring strain, New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Monday. Uncapped speed bowler Ben Sears has been called up to replace him for the second and final home game against Australia, which begins on Friday at Hagley Park. The touring Australians lead the series 1-0 after a 172-run victory in the first Test, which concluded on Sunday in Wellington. Gary Stead, New Zealand’s head coach, said 26-year-old Sears, who has 58 first-class wickets in 19 Wellington outings, was ready for Test cricket.
“Ben’s a young bowler with an excellent skill set,” Stead noted. “He bowls with genuine pace and gets good bounce which is always a great asset in red ball cricket.”
On Saturday, O’Rourke, 22, suffered a left hamstring injury during bowling. He will need at least two weeks of rehabilitation, according to New Zealand Cricket.
He made his Test debut last month, collecting nine wickets in a home triumph against South Africa.
“It’s disappointing for Will to be ruled out, especially after making such a strong start to his international career,” Stead told the BBC.
Veteran Neil Wagner, who announced his retirement last week after being passed over for the first Test, has been removed from the squad before the team reconvenes in Christchurch on Tuesday.
New Zealand is aiming for their first win over Australia since 2011.
Devon Conway, the Black Caps opener, will have surgery this week for a thumb injury sustained in last month’s 3-0 Twenty20 series defeat to Australia.
According to New Zealand Cricket, he is expected to miss at least eight weeks of play. The T20 World Cup, which is hosted by the United States and the West Indies, begins in June.
