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Sport Nation
The Live Sport Bible is here!'One place you want to play’: O’Rourke relishing first taste of Lord's
Sport Nation • June 4th, 2026 12:10 pm
Will O'Rourke | Photo: Chris Symes/Photosport
Blackcaps fast bowler Will O'Rourke is ready to make his mark in his Lord's debut.
After soaking up his surrounding this week at the spiritual home of cricket, the 24-year-old says he has gained a new appreciation for the world famous venue.
"Putting our kit bags up in the changing room for the first time and looking out over the pavilion, it's pretty special stuff," he told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy on Wednesday.
"Most cricketers would tell you that's the number one place you want to play in the world."
The Blackcaps will take on England in the first of three Tests on Thursday, with the first ball due at 10pm (NZ Time).
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O'Rourke said he and his fellow pacemen must be aggressive right from the opening delivery, as the pitch is expected to provide assistance for the seamers early.
"It's probably not as quick as back home... a little bit slower. But I guess the Duke ball early on gives you a bit of assistance and then it sort of softens up after that.
"When the ball softens and doesn't do so much, we just got to be disciplined and start to listen to it."
The London-born Kiwi also brushed aside concerns about the famous Lord's slope, saying players can overthink its influence.
The London-born Kiwi also brushed aside concerns about the famous Lord's slope, saying players can overthink its influence.
"A lot gets made about how much it does, but I think it's all about keeping it simple and bowling your best ball."
New Zealand's Will O'Rourke (right) celebrates the fall of Bangladesh's Saif Hassan with teammates | Photo: AP
O'Rourke enters the series fully fit after gaining a stress fracture in his lower back in an August Test against Zimbabwe that left him sidelined for eight months.
"We did a little bit of work, just running technique and my run up, trying to get my knees like a little more out in front of me so I'm not putting as much arch in my back and as much strain on my lower back.”
"I definitely won't be holding back, so we'll wait and see how it goes."
Listen to the full interview below:
