Born on August 6, 2001, in London, O'Rourke represents a new generation of Kiwi pacers following the retirement of Trent Boult and Neil Wagner, as well as Kyle Jamieson's injury layoff. His six-foot-four frame allows him to generate steep bounce, and under the mentorship of Kyle Jamieson, O'Rourke has developed into a potent force in the bowling attack. O'Rourke made his international debut for New Zealand in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2023, taking a wicket in his first match. However, it was his Test debut against South Africa in February 2024 where he truly shone, claiming nine wickets (4 in the first innings and 5 in the second), setting a record for the most wickets by a debutant for New Zealand. This earned him the Player of the Match award and solidified his place in the team. O'Rourke has continued to impress in Test cricket, with notable performances against Sri Lanka and India. In a recent Test series against India, he dismantled the top order, dismissing key players like Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul.

His ability to extract bounce from the pitch, coupled with sharp seam movement, made him a difficult challenge for India's batters. O'Rourke's current Test tally stands at 22 wickets in just five matches, an impressive feat for a 23-year-old bowler. In domestic cricket, O'Rourke's 69 wickets in 19 first-class matches and 42 wickets in 24 List A matches earned him his call-up to the national side. He was also part of New Zealand A's series against Australia A in March 2023, a key milestone in his career development.

As New Zealand navigates a transitional period with the retirement and absence of senior bowlers, O'Rourke has emerged as a fresh talent capable of leading the attack. His height, pace, and ability to adapt to subcontinental conditions, as seen in his performance in Sri Lanka and now in India, suggest a bright future for him in all formats of the game.