Christchurch, 10 October (H.S.):

New Zealand fast bowler William O’Rourke has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI and Test series against India as he continues his recovery from injuries to his left thigh muscle and calf.

New Zealand Cricket confirmed the development on Saturday, stating that the decision to keep the pacer out of both series had been taken as a precaution. The team management is now focused on helping him regain full fitness ahead of the four-Test series against Australia in December.

O’Rourke had been under consideration for both the ODI and Test squads for the home series against India. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said it was disappointing that the fast bowler would miss such an important assignment against a formidable Indian side on home soil.

However, he stressed that allowing O’Rourke additional time to recover fully from both injuries and gradually increase his bowling workload was the right decision.

“It is obviously disappointing for Will to miss such a significant home series against India. He was in contention for both the ODI and Test series, but after further discussions, we all agreed that giving him some additional time to recover from both injuries and build up his bowling workload safely was the best course of action,” Walter said, according to New Zealand Cricket.

He added that New Zealand’s pace resources would be particularly important over the coming months, making it essential to take a cautious approach to O’Rourke’s return.

“Our fast-bowling resources will be extremely important over the next few months, so we are taking a cautious approach with Will’s rehabilitation to ensure he is fully fit before returning to competitive cricket,” Walter said.

Australia Test Series Emerges as Comeback Target

O’Rourke is now targeting a possible return for the first Test against Australia, scheduled to begin in Perth on December 9. However, his availability remains uncertain, with his recovery progress set to determine the timeline.

Walter is hopeful that the fast bowler will be able to turn out for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield towards the end of December. Ideally, however, O’Rourke could be fit in time for the opening Test against Australia.

O’Rourke has not played an international match on home soil in New Zealand since April 2025. A stress fracture in his back kept him out of action during the previous home summer.

After an absence of around seven months, he returned to international cricket during New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh in April, featuring in all three ODIs. He subsequently played all three Tests against England in June.

However, his comeback was interrupted on the final day of the third Test in Nottingham, where he suffered a tear in his thigh muscle. Towards the end of August, he also sustained a calf strain during a training session.

New Zealand Set for Multi-Format Contest Against India

O’Rourke had also been left out of New Zealand’s squad for the five-match T20 International series against India, which is scheduled to begin on October 22.

Injury concerns have also ruled Mark Chapman and Jacob Duffy out of the T20I squad. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner have been named as their replacements.

Following the T20I series, India and New Zealand will contest a five-match ODI series, beginning on November 1. The tour will conclude with two Test matches, scheduled to be played in Wellington and Christchurch. The opening Test is set to begin on November 19.

With O’Rourke sidelined across the formats, New Zealand will hope that a carefully managed rehabilitation programme enables the promising fast bowler to return to action in time for the crucial Test assignments against Australia.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar