cricket
Will O'Rourke will miss the second Test against Australia due to a hamstring strain.
WELLINGTON (AFP) – New Zealand Cricket announced on Monday that Blackcaps seamer Will O'Rourke will miss this week's second Test against Australia in Christchurch due to a hamstring strain.
Uncapped pace bowler Ben Sears has been called up in his place for the second and final home game against Australia starting at Hagley Park on Friday.
The touring Australian team leads the series 1-0 with a 172-run victory in the first Test that ended in Wellington on Sunday.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said Sears, 26, who played 19 games for Wellington and took 58 first-class wickets, was ready for Test cricket.
“Ben is a young bowler with quality skills,” Stead added. “He bowls with real pace and has good bounce, which is always a big asset in red-ball cricket.”
O'Rourke, 22, injured his left hamstring while bowling on Saturday. New Zealand Cricket said he will need at least two weeks of rehabilitation.
He made his Test debut last month at home against South Africa, picking up nine wickets.
“It's disappointing for Will to be left out, especially after such a great start to his international career,” Stead said.
Veteran Neil Wagner, who announced his retirement last week after not being selected for the first Test, was left out of the squad ahead of their reunion in Christchurch on Tuesday.
New Zealand are looking for their first win against Australia since 2011.
Black Caps opening pitcher Devon Conway is scheduled to undergo surgery this week for a thumb injury sustained in last month's 3-0 loss to Australia in the Twenty20 series.
New Zealand Cricket says he is expected to be out for at least eight weeks. The T20 World Cup, hosted by the United States and West Indies, will begin in June.
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