William O’Rourke is making a significant impact in the current Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, showcasing his talent with a five-wicket haul. In just his third Test appearance, he has continued to impress, following his debut in February where he claimed nine wickets against South Africa.
What sets O’Rourke apart is his ability to excel on pitches that typically favor spinners, utilizing his speed and bounce to great effect. His performances have been nothing short of outstanding, marking him as a rising star in the New Zealand cricketing landscape.
Who is William O’rourke?
With a height of six feet four inches, William O’Rourke has emerged as a talented pacer in New Zealand. He was born in the UK, then moved to New Zealand as a child, and played domestic cricket like his father, Patrick O’Rourke.
His father represented Wellington in first-class cricket. He impressed selectors with his bounce and pace right after making his state team debut.
William O’rourke Test stats
The Kiwi pacer has played three matches and took 16 wickets at an average of 15.37. He has an economy of 2.86 with two times picked fifer.
| Mat | Inns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Avg | Econ | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 246 | 16 | 5/34 | 9/93 | 15.37 | 2.86 | 2 | 0 |
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William O’rourke International career
In March 2023, O’Rourke was included in the New Zealand A team for their first-class series against Australia A. By December 2023, he received his first call-up to the New Zealand squad for an ODI series against Bangladesh. He made his ODI debut during this series, becoming the first England-born cricketer to represent New Zealand since Roger Twose in the 1990s.
The following month, O’Rourke was added to New Zealand’s Test squad for their series against South Africa. He debuted in the second match of the series on February 13, 2024, achieving a remarkable five-wicket haul in South Africa’s second innings and finishing the match with nine wickets for 93 runs.
