Will O'Rourke set for England Test challenge.©(@ESPNcricinfo)
In what promises to be an exciting Test series, England will face a new fast-bowling threat in the form of Will O’Rourke, the 23-year-old who has quickly made a name for himself in New Zealand cricket. Born in Surrey, England, O’Rourke now plays for the Black Caps and is gearing up to face his former home country on a green Christchurch pitch this week. His rise in international cricket has been swift, with the fast bowler already taking 26 wickets in just seven Tests at an impressive average of 19.
O’Rourke’s debut in 2023 was nothing short of spectacular, as he posted match figures of 9-93 against South Africa, the best-ever debut performance by a New Zealand bowler. His early success continued in India, where he played pivotal in New Zealand’s historic Test series victory. O’Rourke was part of a team that triumphed in India for the first time in 36 years, an achievement O’Rourke calls “surreal.”
As a “pretty quiet dude,” O’Rourke is a towering 6ft 4in fast bowler with an unorthodox action that has drawn comparisons to South Africa’s Morne Morkel. “I fall away quite a bit,” says O’Rourke of his bowling action. “I’ve got a tall release and angle it back into the right-hander. Maybe I bring something a little bit different.” His distinctive style and pace have made him a key player in New Zealand’s revamped bowling attack.
O’Rourke’s path to Test cricket began in Christchurch, where he moved to study at university, and he quickly caught the eye of Canterbury cricket. Here, he was first described as a “newborn giraffe” due to his awkward and unrefined actions. Since then, O’Rourke has developed into a mighty bowler, aided by his mentor, fellow paceman Kyle Jamieson, and has added significant pace to his deliveries.
Although his cricket career has taken precedence over his academic ambitions — O’Rourke is currently working to complete a sports science degree — he remains determined to balance both aspects of his life. “I’m slowly chipping away,” he says, referring to his ongoing studies. “Hopefully, I’ll finish that in the next few years.”
The upcoming series against England will be a significant challenge for O’Rourke as he faces off against some of the best fast bowlers in the world, including England’s rising star, Gus Atkinson. O’Rourke is known for his ability to strike quickly, with a remarkable strike rate of 36.6, better than all but three other bowlers in history with similar wicket totals.
With his natural pace and unpredictable line, O’Rourke has proven to be a dangerous bowler. “I’m a bit more of a spray can,” he admits, “but it can make my good ball a bit more dangerous because you don’t know when it’s going to come.” As England’s batters prepare to face him, they must be ready for whatever O’Rourke throws their way.
For O’Rourke, this series is not just another match but an opportunity to test himself against the country where he was born. His career is advancing quickly, and after his remarkable rise, all attention will be on him as he aims to maintain his solid performances for the Black Caps.
England, meanwhile, will need to stay vigilant — the Surrey-born “giraffe” has arrived, and he is ready to make an impact.
