O'Rourke ruled out of second Test with back injury

New Zealand's injury woes continue with quick Will O'Rourke the latest to be ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe with a back injury.

New Zealand have already lost fast-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith ahead of the second Test with an abdominal strain with pace bowling allrounder Zakary Foulkes earning his maiden call-up into the Test squad as Smith's replacement.

Auckland Aces left-arm fast bowler Ben Lister was also called in as cover for O'Rourke who experienced back stiffness on day three of the first Test and will now remain with the squad after O'Rourke was sent home for further medical advice.

"We are hopeful it's nothing too series," New Zealand bowling coach Jacob Oram said. "When he's so important to our side for the next six to eight months but also next year with all the Test cricket, we've got some big tours, we need to make sure we look after the big guy and make sure that he's okay. So we have our fingers crossed for him and hopefully he'll be back on the park soon."

O'Rourke bowled 13 wicketless overs in the first innings of the first Test and had 3 for 28 from 10 in the second before he suffered back stiffness. O'Rourke's injury opens the door for either Jacob Duffy or Matthew Fisher to possibly make their Test debut, with Fisher having been called into the squad just prior to the tour after impressing coach Rob Walter as a net bowler.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham missed the opening game due to a shoulder injury, with Mitchell Santner standing in as skipper, and it remains to be seen whether he is passed fit for the second Test, which begins on August 7.