Will O’Rourke is out of the second and final Test against Zimbabwe due to injury. The game starts on August 7 and ends on August 11 according to the ICC.
O’Rourke felt some stiffness in his back on the third day of the first Test which New Zealand won by 9 wickets. He’s already on his way back home for more checks. Because of this Ben Lister another fast bowler will stay with the team in Zimbabwe. He might get a chance to play his first Test match in the series second and final game which starts on Thursday.
In the first Test O’Rourke took 3 wickets for 28 runs in the second innings which was a key part of New Zealand’s win and gave them the lead in the series. He’s the second fast bowler to be ruled out of the second Test due to injury. Earlier all-rounder Nathan Smith was also ruled out because of an abdominal strain.
Zak Foulkes who played for the Black Caps in the T20I tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa has been called up to the Test squad for the first time as a replacement for Smith according to the ICC. In the three games he played he took 2 wickets including one in the final where New Zealand beat South Africa by 3 runs.
Smith who was part of the Black Caps win against Zimbabwe in the first Test got injured while batting in New Zealand’s first innings. He had to retire hurt with 22 runs. He also took 3 wickets for the team in the first innings. Smith got injured on Day 2 in Bulawayo while batting and an MRI later confirmed the abdominal strain.
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It’s not clear yet if Tom Latham, the regular captain will be back to lead the team in the second Test. He missed the first game due to a hamstring injury. Mitchell Santner, the captain of the shorter formats of the game, filled in for him. There’s a possibility Matthew Fisher, a 25 year old pacer might get his debut cap on Thursday. Also experienced spinner Ajaz Patel might return to the lineup for the first time since the series against India last year. Ben Lister, an uncapped left arm seamer was already in Zimbabwe as injury cover and will now stay with the squad for the rest of the tour.1-0 up they will look to win the second Test to sweep the series.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young.
