Cricket is in his veins. It's in his blood. What it means to say is that he has inherited this game. His father and uncle also used to play this game. And, now he has gone one step ahead of them. He is going to play his first ICC tournament at the senior level. We are talking about William O'Rourke, who made headlines by dismissing Virat Kohli in his very first over of international cricket and made a place in the New Zealand team for the Champions Trophy 2025. This 23-year-old right-arm fast bowler has been rewarded for his consistent performance in every format for New Zealand.

ICC tournament will be played at senior level for the first time

In the Champions Trophy, the command of New Zealand's fast bowling will be in the hands of Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson. In such a situation, William O'Rourke can play the role of third pacer. William O'Rourke has definitely played the ICC World Cup at U19 level. But, this is his first opportunity to participate in an ICC event at the senior level.

Cricket in my veins, I left this country

William O'Rourke's father Patrick O'Rourke and uncle have also played first class cricket in New Zealand. Father was a fast bowler of Wellington. He was active in domestic cricket from 1989 to 1993. However, he did not get a chance to represent New Zealand at the international level. Due to lack of opportunity, William O'Rourke's father went to Britain. William O'Rourke was born there in 2001. After living in London for about 5 years, William O'Rourke left England with his parents and returned to New Zealand, where his journey to progress in cricket began.

48 wickets so far in 19 matches

6 feet 8 inches tall Kyle Jamieson played a big role in improving the fast bowling of William O'Rourke. 6 feet 4 inches tall William O'Rourke learned from him how to bowl taking advantage of his height. William O'Rourke, who made his international debut in 2023, has so far played 19 matches for New Zealand in all three formats, in which he has 48 wickets to his name.