New Zealand’s woes continued in Galle with a narrow 63-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the first Test of the ongoing two-match Test series on Monday, September 23. It was New Zealand’s fifth defeat at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

However, Will O’Rourke’s performance stood out in just his third Test match for New Zealand in the opening of the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. The young bowler bowled consistently at 140 km/h on a dry surface and took 8 wickets for 104 runs, including key dismissals of top bowlers.

Youngster Will O’Rourke impresses despite New Zealand’s fifth defeat in Galle

O’Rourke’s disciplined approach in tough conditions proved his potential and earned him the admiration of New Zealand captain Tim Southee. Tim Southee predicted a successful Test run for O’Rourke and described him as a promising talent for New Zealand’s future after his impressive performance in his first Test in subcontinent conditions.

Tim Southee said after the match: “Will has had a very short Test career so far, and he has certainly revealed himself. We saw in New Zealand how dangerous he can be. He has the skills to have a very good Test career. For him to come to his first Test in the subcontinent and come away with an impressive eight wickets for the match is nothing short of special. He has a great head on his shoulders and he is a big guy. So, there is a lot to like about Will O’Rourke.”

Meanwhile, Rachin Ravindra proved his talent by scoring a commendable 92 runs on a challenging pitch in the fourth innings during New Zealand’s fruitless chase of a daunting 275-run target against Sri Lanka in Galle. Though Ravindra is still establishing himself at the top level, he showed pure class against Sri Lanka in the fourth innings in Galle.

Rachin Ravindra impresses captain Tim Southee with 92 runs in tough conditions

The 24-year-old’s composed batting on day four was particularly noteworthy as he effectively capitalised on bowlers’ errors and maintained a consistent scoring rate in just his third Test on the subcontinent. Rachin’s performance kept New Zealand’s hopes alive throughout the chase, proving his potential even in difficult conditions.

Despite the wicket’s considerable spin and difficulty, the New Zealand all-rounder’s ability to score runs under pressure without having much experience in Asia is a promising sign for his future in international cricket. His talent and maturity have impressed many, with Tim Southee saying he was not an easy batsman.

Captain Tim Southee added: “Rachin kept us in the hunt with that chase. We knew it was a tough task and it was going to require something special as the wicket had been turning a lot over the last few days. He is another player with exceptional talent, and he has also tried a bit of international cricket and done exceptionally well. He is a great young man with a good head on his shoulders.”

Despite the defeat, Tim Southee stressed that it was still a good Test match and there are many good things the New Zealand team can take into the second and final Test, which begins on September 26.