The New Zealand cricket team has suffered a major setback ahead of their home multi-format series against India. Star Kiwi fast bowler Will O’Rourke has been ruled out of the series due to injury.
The bowler had previously sustained a hamstring injury during the third Test match against England in June. Subsequently, he suffered a calf strain during his rehabilitation and training sessions. Given the severity of the injury, the decision to withdraw Will O’Rourke from the series against India was taken as a precautionary measure, ensuring he has ample time for rehabilitation before the demanding international schedule ahead.
Will O’Rourke has been ruled out of the series due to injury
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter confirmed his absence and explained the strategic reasons behind the decision. The tour of India begins on October 22 with five T20 Internationals, followed by five One Day Internationals and two Test matches, scheduled between November 19 and December 1.
In an official statement, Walter said, “It is certainly disappointing for Will O’Rourke to miss such an important home series against India. He was set to play in both the ODI and Test series, but after further discussions, we all agreed it would be best for him to take some extra time to recover from both injuries and gradually build up his bowling workload.”
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“We will rely heavily on our fast-bowling resources in the coming months, so we are taking a cautious approach regarding Will O’Rourke return to ensure he is fully fit before stepping back onto the field.”
