Wellington, 26 August 2025:
New Zealand’s buildup to its home summer has been hit by injuries to key players ahead of October’s trans-Tasman T20 series against Australia.
Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen were ruled out Wednesday, along with fast bowler Will O’Rourke, New Zealand Cricket said. Phillips has a groin injury, while scans revealed O’Rourke has a stress fracture in his lower back. Allen recently underwent surgery on his right foot. Both Allen and O’Rourke are expected to spend at least three months on the sidelines.
The three-match series for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will be played Oct. 1-4 in Mount Maunganui as both sides prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Black Caps white-ball captain Mitchell Santner is also in doubt after returning from the Hundred with groin pain. He is set to undergo abdominal surgery but could still feature in the series depending on his recovery.
“We expect to name him in our squad when we announce it in a couple of weeks’ time,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said. “From there we can assess how his rehabilitation progresses before making a call on the eve of the series.”
Walter called the loss of Phillips and Allen “disappointing,” but added it would create chances for others.
Allen, who is not on a New Zealand Cricket contract, also faces a race against time to be fit for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League. The 25-year-old opener is entering the second season of a two-year deal after scoring 181 runs, including two half-centuries, in 10 games last summer.
New Zealand is expected to announce its squad in the second week of September and could regain fast bowler Ben Sears, who has recovered from a side strain that kept him out of the tour of Zimbabwe.
Schedule:
1st T20I: Oct. 1, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 4:15 p.m. AEST
2nd T20I: Oct. 3, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 4:15 p.m. AEST
3rd T20I: Oct. 4, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 4:15 p.m. AEST
