New Zealand team 'injured' before the series against Australia, 3 star players out, captain also injured

The New Zealand team has suffered back-to-back major setbacks before the domestic summer season. Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen have been excluded from the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy T20 series against Australia at Bay Oval in February due to injury. Meanwhile, there is also a worry about limited-overs captain Mitchell Santner, who experienced back pain when playing in The Hundred and is now back home. The left-arm spinner will have stomach surgery, which will take around a month. In these circumstances, the Kiwi team might also miss him in the series against Australia.

O'Rourke has been officially diagnosed with a stress fracture on his lower back, which will keep the 24-year-old fast bowler out of action for at least three months. He suffered this injury during the first Test against Zimbabwe earlier this month. He has now returned home and will now undergo a strength and conditioning program before being re-examined.

Head coach Rob Walter said that we are very sad for Will at this time and wish him a speedy recovery. He has had a great start to his career and so naturally it is disappointing when such an injury occurs, but he is a determined player and will work hard and come back strongly. O'Rourke has been ruled out of the early limited-overs matches of the summer, including tours of Australia (October 1-4), England (October 18 - November 1) and West Indies (November 5-22).

At the same time, Glenn Phillips is recovering from a back injury, which forced him out of the Zimbabwe series. His condition will be re-assessed after a month. While Finn Allen will be on a long break after undergoing surgery on his right foot, which will keep him out for three months. Walter admitted that it is disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn, who have played important batting roles in our T20 setup in recent times.