O'Rourke, Phillips & Allen ruled out of Australia series; Santner set for surgery

New Zealand's build-up to the home summer has taken a hit with injuries ruling out Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen from next month's Chappell-Hadlee Trophy T20I series against Australia at Bay Oval.

Scans have confirmed a stress fracture in O'Rourke's lower back, sidelining the 24-year-old pacer for at least three months. The injury was picked up during the first Test against Zimbabwe earlier this month. He has since returned home and will now undergo a strength and conditioning programme before being reassessed.

"We're really feeling for Will at the moment and wishing him speedy recovery," head coach Rob Walter said. "He's had such an impressive start to his career and so naturally it is disappointing when an injury like this comes along, but he's a resilient guy and determined to put the work in and come back stronger."

O'Rourke's absence rules him out of the early white-ball block of the summer, including tours by Australia (October 1-4), England (October 18 - November 1) and the West Indies (November 5-22).

Phillips, meanwhile, continues his rehabilitation from a groin injury that forced him out of the Zimbabwe series. He will be reassessed in a month's time. Allen is set for a longer layoff after surgery on his right foot, ruling him out for three months.

There are also concerns over white-ball captain Mitchell Santner, who experienced groin pain while playing in The Hundred and has since returned home. The left-arm spinner will undergo abdominal surgery with a recovery period of around one month, leaving him in a race against time for the Australia series.

"Mitch is a world-class player and a crucial part of our T20 side from a skills and leadership point of view," Walter said. "With that in mind we expect to name him in our squad when we announce it in a couple of weeks' time, and from there we can assess how his rest and rehabilitation progresses following surgery, before making a call on the eve of the series."

Walter admitted the unavailability of Phillips and Allen was a setback. "It's disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn who have played important batting roles in our T20 set up in recent times. Like in Zimbabwe, their unavailability will present opportunities for others to put their hands up in what's going to be a hugely exciting and important series against Australia."

There was at least one positive update with seamer Ben Sears cleared to return after a side strain. The 26-year-old is expected to be available for the start of the home season.