Will O'Rourke Ruled Out of Second Test vs Zimbabwe Due to Back Injury; Ben Lister Added to Squad

New Zealand pacer Will O'Rourke has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to a back injury, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Tuesday. In his place, uncapped left-arm seamer Ben Lister has been added to the squad for the second and final match of the two-Test series.

O'Rourke sustained the injury on Day 3 of the first Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo last week. Despite the setback, he bowled 23 overs and picked up three wickets in the match, which New Zealand won convincingly by nine wickets.

This is the second blow to New Zealand’s pace department on the tour. Earlier, fast-bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith was ruled out and replaced by newcomer Zakary Foulkes, who earned his maiden Test call-up. Now, Lister joins the squad as a replacement for O'Rourke, offering another left-arm pace option.

The second Test is scheduled to begin on August 7, with New Zealand leading the series 1-0.