Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Will O’Rourke to Miss India Series, Targets Australia Return
Will O’Rourke is a fast bowler for New Zealand.
He has injuries in his left hamstring and calf.
Because he needs more time to heal, he will miss New Zealand’s home matches against India.
He hurt his hamstring while playing England in June.
He strained his calf during training in August.
Coach Rob Walter says the team wants him to recover and build up his bowling safely.
Walter hopes O’Rourke can play for Canterbury later in December.
The team also hopes he will be ready for the Test tour of Australia.
O’Rourke has taken 49 wickets in 14 Test matches.
New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke will miss the home series against India, including five ODIs and two Tests.
He is recovering from left hamstring and calf injuries, and New Zealand is taking a cautious approach to his return.
O’Rourke tore his hamstring during the third Test against England in June and strained his calf at training in late August.
Coach Rob Walter hopes O’Rourke can return for Canterbury in late December and be ready for the Australia Test tour.
O’Rourke has taken 49 wickets in 14 Tests, including 10 during New Zealand’s 2-1 series win in England.
- Who
- New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke and coach Rob Walter.
- What
- O’Rourke will miss the home series against India while recovering from hamstring and calf injuries.
- When
- The India tour begins October 22; its two Tests start November 19. The first Australia Test is scheduled for December 9.
- Where
- The India series is in New Zealand; the first Australia Test is scheduled for Perth.
- Why
- O’Rourke and team management agreed he needs more time to rehabilitate and safely build up his bowling workload.
- India series
- Five ODIs and two Tests at home; O’Rourke will miss both formats.
- Injuries
- Left hamstring tear and calf strain.
- Hamstring injury
- Sustained on the final day of the third Test against England in June.
- Calf injury
- Strained during a training session in late August.
- Possible domestic return
- Walter said O’Rourke could ideally return for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield in late December.
- Australia tour
- Four-Test series; the first Test is scheduled for December 9 in Perth.
- Test record
- 49 wickets in 14 Tests, at an average under 25.
- England series
- Took 10 wickets in New Zealand’s 2-1 Test series win in June.
Sources
Blow for New Zealand: William O’Rourke ruled out of India series, eyes return in Australia Tests
Will O’Rourke Ruled Out Of New Zealand vs India 2026 Series Due To Hamstring, Calf Injuries; Eyes Australia Test Tour Return