O’Rourke ruled out of second Zimbabwe Test with back injury

BULAWAYO: New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke has been sidelined for the second Test against Zimbabwe due to a back injury, the Black Caps confirmed on Wednesday. The 22-year-old will return home for further treatment.

O’Rourke played a key role in New Zealand’s nine-wicket victory in the first Test at Bulawayo, finishing with impressive figures of 3-28 in the second innings before pulling up injured.

Left-arm seamer Ben Lister, who is uncapped at the Test level, was already in Zimbabwe as cover and will remain with the squad for the remainder of the tour. The second and final Test begins Thursday at the same Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.