WELLINGTON: New Zealand Cricket announced on Monday that New Zealand seamer O’Rourke will not play the second Test against Australia in Christchurch this week due to hamstring strain.
Ben Sears has been called up in his position for the second and final home match against Australia, that will be played at Hagley Park on Friday. The visitors lead the series 1-0 following their 172-run win in the first Test, which ended on Sunday in Wellington.
In a statement, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead stated that Sears, who has taken 58 first-class wickets in 19 matches for Wellington, was ready for Test match.
Injured NZ Seamer O’Rourke to Miss 2nd Test Against Australia
Stead said that Ben’s a young bowler with a quality skill set and bowls with genuine pace and gets good bounce which is a great asset in the test cricket.
New Zealand Cricket said that O’Rourke, 22, wounded his left hamstring while bowling on Saturday. He needs at least two weeks’ rehabilitation to restart game. O’Rourke impressed on his Test debut in February by taking 9 wickets in a home victory against South Africa.
New Zealand opener Devon Conway will also undergo surgery this week for the thumb injury he suffered during last Twenty20 series against Australia. He is likely to be out for at least 8 weeks, New Zealand Cricket announced.
