Will O’Rourke becomes 2nd youngest pacer to pick 5-wkt haul in Galle

Following the footsteps of Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke has become the latest point of difference in this New Zealand bowling setup. In his first two Tests, the right-arm pacer had already made a big difference with 11 wickets at an average of 17.36, with a four-wicket haul and five-wicket haul. 

And on September 19 (Thursday), in his first Test here in Asia, O’Rourke once again showed that he is New Zealand’s future, becoming the second-youngest pacer in Test history to pick up a five-wicket haul in Galle. The speedster removed the veteran Dimuth Karunaratne as his first scalp in Asia. The 22-year-old then bowled a peach of a delivery to Pathum Nissanka, yorking the Sri Lankan opener for his second wicket. 

From thereon, he removed Angelo Mathews with an enticing delivery outside the off-stump. O’Rourke then wrapped up the tail, with Ramesh Mendis and Asitha Fernando’s wickets, to bowl them out for 305. 

At 23 years and 43 days, O’Rourke also became the third-youngest New Zealand bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in Asia.

Youngest New Zealand pacers to take a 5-fer in Asia

Bruce Taylor - 21y 236d - vs India in 1965

Chris Pringle - 22y 273d - vs Pakistan in 1990

Will O'Rourke - 23y 43d - vs Sri Lanka in 2024

Tim Southee - 23y 264d - vs India in 2012

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