Tim Southee praises Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra after New Zealand's Galle setback in 1st Test

New Zealand's struggles continued in Galle with a close 63-run loss 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 only his third Test match for New Zealand in the two-match Test series opener in Sri Lanka. The young seamer bowled consistently at 140 kph on a dry surface and claimed 8 wickets for 104 runs, including key top-order dismissals.

Young gun Will O'Rourke impresses despite New Zealand's fifth loss in Galle

O'Rourke's disciplined approach under challenging conditions showcased his potential, earning admiration from the New Zealand captain Tim Southee. Tim Southee predicted a successful Test career for O'Rourke and described him as a promising talent for New Zealand's future after his impressive display in his first Test in subcontinent conditions.

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

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

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

The 24-year-old’s composed batting on the fourth day was particularly remarkable, as he effectively capitalized on the bowlers' mistakes while maintaining a steady scoring rate in just his third Test in the subcontinent. Rachin's performance kept New Zealand's hopes alive during the chase, demonstrating his potential even in tough conditions.

Despite the wicket's considerable turn and difficulty, the Kiwi all-rounder’s ability to score runs under pressure without a lot of experience in Asia is a promising sign for his future in international cricket. His talent and maturity have impressed many, and Tim Southee said that it was not easy to bat on.

The skipper Tim Southee added, “Rachin kept us in the hunt with that chase. We knew it was a tough ask and that it was going to take something special, with the wicket taking a lot of turns in these last couple of days. He's another one that's an exceptional talent, and he's had a little taste of international cricket as well and done exceptionally well. He's a great young kid with a good head on his shoulders.”

Despite the loss, Tim Southee stressed that it was still a good Test match, and there are plenty of good things the New Zealand team can take into the second and final Test, starting on September 26.