O’Rourke, who was previously excluded from the five-match T20I squad due to ongoing hamstring and lower-leg muscle issues, had been expected to return for the subsequent ODI and Test legs. However, head coach Rob Walter confirmed that following consultations, the medical team decided to extend his rehabilitation period to allow a safe, gradual increase in his bowling workload. The paceman has been plagued by injury setbacks over the past year, having returned from a seven-month layoff due to a back stress fracture during the Bangladesh tour in April before suffering a hamstring injury during the third Test against England in Nottingham. His absence adds to New Zealand's growing injury concerns, following the recent exclusions of batter Mark Chapman and pacer Zak Foulkes.