New Zealand will head into the Harare finale minus another frontline quick after Will O’Rourke was withdrawn with back stiffness picked up late in the first Test.
The tall right-armer felt the twinge on day three, bowled a handful of overs on day four and was then flown home for scans. Auckland left-armer Ben Lister, already on standby, stays with the squad and could slot straight in.
“We are hopeful it’s nothing too series,” bowling coach Jacob Oram said. “When he’s so important to our side for the next six to eight months but also next year with all the Test cricket, we’ve got some big tours, we need to make sure we look after the big guy and make sure that he’s OK. So we have our fingers crossed for him and hopefully he’ll be back on the park soon.”
O’Rourke’s raw numbers in Bulawayo were mixed: 13 wicketless overs first time round, 3 for 28 from ten in the second before the back tightened. The issue is less about this series than the heavy Test schedule that follows.
New Zealand were already one bowler down. Nathan Smith pulled an abdominal muscle in the gym, ending his tour. Uncapped all-rounder Zakary Foulkes was summoned as cover and may yet debut if the pitch looks receptive to his skiddy pace.
Should the selectors prefer an out-and-out seamer, either Lister, Jacob Duffy or Matthew Fisher comes into the frame. Fisher only joined the trip as a net bowler but impressed head coach Rob Walter enough to be upgraded to the main squad.
Tom Latham’s sore shoulder complicates matters further. The regular captain sat out the opener, Mitchell Santner handled the reins, and medical staff will leave the decision until the last minute. A fit Latham would strengthen the batting and free Santner to focus on spin duties.
The second Test starts on 7 August. New Zealand lead the two-match series 1–0 yet know their depth, especially with the ball, is already being stretched.
