Will O’Rourke Ruled Out For Three Months With Stress Fracture, New Zealand Face Injury Crisis

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Cric News India

August 26, 2025 0 500

Will O’Rourke sidelined

Will O’Rourke was ruled out for three months with a back stress fracture as New Zealand faced multiple injury concerns ahead of a busy season.

Fast bowler Will O’Rourke has been ruled out for at least three months with a stress fracture in his lower back, New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Tuesday. The setback added to the growing injury concerns for the Black Caps.

The 24-year-old suffered the injury while bowling in the first Test against Zimbabwe earlier this month. He returned home, where scans confirmed the extent of the damage. “We’re really feeling for Will at the moment and wishing him a speedy recovery,” said New Zealand head coach Rob Walter.

O’Rourke will now miss the home white-ball series against Australia in early October, followed by England later that month, and the West Indies in November. The injury list extended further with all-rounder Glenn Phillips ruled out of the Australia series due to a groin problem that had already kept him out of the Zimbabwe tour.

Opening batter Finn Allen also faced a lengthy absence after undergoing surgery on his right foot. He will be sidelined for at least three months. “It’s disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn, who have played important batting roles in our T20 set-up in recent times,” Walter said.

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White-ball captain Mitchell Santner also returned home early from England’s The Hundred last weekend after suffering groin pain. He will undergo abdominal surgery and is expected to take a month to recover, though he will be given time to prove his fitness for the three-match T20I series against Australia.

“Mitch is a world-class player and a crucial part of our T20 side from a skills and leadership point of view,” said Walter.
“With that in mind, we expect to name him in our squad. From there, we can assess how his rest and rehabilitation progresses following surgery, before making a call on the eve of the series.” Meanwhile, pace bowler Ben Sears has recovered from a side strain that kept him out of the Zimbabwe tour and is expected to be available for selection.