Wellington, Aug 26 (IANS) – New Zealand are facing significant injury setbacks ahead of their home summer, with Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, and Finn Allen ruled out of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy T20I series against Australia at Bay Oval in early October.
Scans confirmed O’Rourke has a stress fracture in his lower back, sidelining him for at least three months. The 24-year-old suffered the injury during the first Test against Zimbabwe and has since returned home for treatment.
Head coach Rob Walter said O’Rourke will complete a three-month strength and conditioning programme before being reassessed for a return to bowling. His absence rules him out of New Zealand’s opening white-ball series of the summer against Australia (Oct 3–5), England (Oct 18–Nov 1) and the West Indies (Nov 5–22).
Phillips, still recovering from the groin injury that kept him out of the Zimbabwe tour, will undergo further rehabilitation and be reassessed in a month. Allen recently had surgery on his right foot and will also spend about three months on the sidelines.
White-ball skipper Mitchell Santner, who returned early from The Hundred due to groin pain, is set to undergo abdominal surgery. His expected recovery time is around a month, leaving his participation against Australia uncertain.
Walter said Santner remains central to the team’s plans:
“Mitch is a world-class player and a crucial part of our T20 side in terms of skill and leadership. We intend to name him in the squad and will monitor his recovery closely before making a final call ahead of the series.”
The coach added it was a blow to lose Phillips and Allen, but their absence would open doors for others to stake a claim:
“It’s disappointing to lose Glenn and Finn, who have been important batting options for us recently. Like in Zimbabwe, this presents opportunities for others in what promises to be an exciting series against Australia.”
New Zealand Cricket confirmed the T20I squad will be named in the second week of September.
In some positive news, Wellington Firebirds pacer Ben Sears has recovered from the side strain that ruled him out of the Zimbabwe tour and is expected to be fit for the start of the home summer.
