New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke will miss the entirety of India’s upcoming tour, as he continues his rehabilitation for injuries to his left hamstring and calf.
A statement from New Zealand Cricket confirmed that O’Rourke, who was in consideration for the ODI and Test series, will not take part against India as a “precaution”, with an eye on having him ready for the four-Test tour of Australia in December.
It further pushes back O’Rourke’s hopes of featuring in a home international fixture for the first time since April 2025, with a back stress fracture ruling him out of the previous summer. After a seven-month period on the sidelines, O’Rourke marked his comeback during New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh in April, featuring in each of the three ODIs.
He then played each of the three Tests against England in June, where he tore his hamstring on the final day of the third Test in Nottingham, before straining his calf at training in late August.
“It’s obviously disappointing for Will to have to miss such a marquee tour at home against India,” 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,” he added.
O’Rourke is now in a race against time to be fit for the first Test against Australia in Perth on December 9.
“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,” Walter said.
O’Rourke was not named in New Zealand’s T20I squad, with the five-match series getting underway on October 22. New Zealand were already forced to ring in changes to that squad, with injuries ruling Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes out. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner were named as replacements.
The T20Is will be followed by five ODIs, starting November 1, and two Tests in Wellington and Christchurch, with the first of those beginning on November 19.
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