Will O’Rourke Sidelined for India Series Amid Ongoing Hamstring and Calf Injury Rehab

New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke will miss the upcoming home series against India as he continues his rehabilitation following injuries to his left hamstring and calf. The decision to rest the pacer is precautionary, with New Zealand Cricket also looking ahead to the four-Test tour of Australia in December-January.

“It’s obviously disappointing for Will to have to miss such a marquee tour at home against India,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said. “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, 25, has a recent injury history that has disrupted his availability. He returned to action in April during New Zealand’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh following a seven-month absence due to a back stress fracture. Although he played all three Tests on the tour of England in June, he suffered a hamstring tear on the final day of the third Test in Nottingham. He has not played competitively since, with his recovery further complicated by a calf strain sustained during training in August.

New Zealand are set to announce their squad for the India series on Sunday. The tour begins with five T20Is from October 22 to November 1, followed by five ODIs from November 4 to 15, and two Tests, starting November 19 to 23 in Wellington and concluding November 27 to December 1 in Christchurch.

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