Sports · Cricket · 1 day ago
William O’Rourke to miss New Zealand’s ODIs and Tests against India
New Zealand fast bowler William O’Rourke will miss the team’s upcoming one-day international and Test matches against India.
He is recovering from a hamstring tear and a calf strain.
The 25-year-old had only recently returned after missing months with a back stress fracture.
New Zealand Cricket and coach Rob Walter decided he needs more time to recover and gradually rebuild his bowling workload.
O’Rourke had been expected to play against India, and his absence is another injury setback for New Zealand.
The team is taking a cautious approach with a four-Test series against Australia beginning in Perth on December 9.
Walter said O’Rourke could return for Canterbury in late December, while a return for the Australia series is the aim.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed that fast bowler William O’Rourke will miss the team’s five one-day internationals and two Tests against India.
O’Rourke is recovering from injuries to his left hamstring and calf, and the decision to leave him out was described as precautionary.
Coach Rob Walter said the team wants O’Rourke to recover fully and build up his bowling workload safely.
New Zealand is managing O’Rourke’s return with a four-Test series against Australia in December in mind.
Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes were also ruled out of the India T20I series, with Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner named as replacements.
- Who
- New Zealand fast bowler William O’Rourke
- What
- He was ruled out of the five ODIs and two Tests against India while recovering from hamstring and calf injuries.
- When
- Confirmed on October 10, 2026; the India T20I series begins October 22, and the ODIs begin November 1.
- Where
- The India tour; the two Tests are scheduled for Wellington and Christchurch.
- Why
- New Zealand Cricket said the decision was precautionary, to allow him to rehabilitate and prepare for the Australia Test series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It’s obviously disappointing for Will to have to miss such a marquee tour at home against India. He was set to feature in both the ODI and Test series, but following subsequent discussions, we all agreed it was best for him to take some more time to rehabilitate both injuries and safely build up his bowling loads.
Our pace bowling resources will be critical over the next few months, so we’re taking a conservative approach to Will’s return to ensure he’s fully fit before he takes the field again.
Ideally, he'll be able to return for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield in late December, and in a perfect world, he’ll be ready to go for the opening Test against Australia in Perth on December 9.
O’Rourke last played international cricket on home soil, according to India Today.
He returned to action on New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh and played all three ODIs.
O’Rourke suffered a hamstring tear on the final day of the third Test against England.
He strained his calf during a training session.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed he would miss the ODIs and Tests against India.
- India ODIs
- Five matches, beginning November 1, 2026
- India Tests
- Two matches, scheduled for Wellington and Christchurch; the first is set to begin November 19, 2026
- Australia Tests
- Four-match series beginning December 9, 2026, in Perth
- O’Rourke’s injuries
- Left hamstring and calf
- T20I replacements
- Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner replaced Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes
Sources
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