Kane Williamson a doubt for SCG Test as virus hits Kiwi camp ahead of third Test

New Zealand’s disastrous tour of Australia has been plunged in to further crisis after Kane Williamson and two other members of its first XI were laid low by a virus in the camp ahead of the SCG Test.

New Zealand's Kane Williamson has not trained this week due to ongoing illness.

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Update: Ailing captain Kane Williamson was quarantined from his team-mates as New Zealand sent out an SOS for more batting depth for Friday’s third Test against Australia.

Uncapped keeper-batsman Glenn Phillips, 23, who was born in South Africa but moved to New Zealand as a five-year-old, was rushed across the Tasman on Thursday night as the Kiwis had three players in doubt due to a mystery virus

The Kiwis, already two-down in the three Test series, are in crisis for the pink Test after Williamson, batsman Henry Nicholls and spin bowler Mitchell Santner have been ill and unable to train in recent days due to a virus which has also laid low some members of the Kiwis staff on tour.

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New Zealand's Kane Williamson has endured a chastening time on tour in Australia.

The Kiwis faced a selection crisis if Williamson and Nicholls were unable to play because they had only one spare batsman – Jeet Raval, who was dropped after failing in Perth and looks short of the class needed to keep Australia’s rampaging new ball men at bay.

Phillips, who has made a mark as a white ball batsman and averages a decent 42 in first class cricket, is likely to make his Test debut if both ill batsmen are ruled out.

New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips in T20 action against the West Indies. He is being flown over to bolster the squad for the third Test in Sydney.

The Kiwis do not name a vice-captain so they were unsure of who would take over if Williamson, their best player and inspiration, is unfit.

The contenders are experienced batsman Ross Taylor, fast bowler Tim Southee and opening batsman Tom Latham, who fronted the media on Thursday to explain that the Kiwis had more balls in the air than a circus juggler.

Henry Nicholls is also unwell, further depleting New Zealand’s shallow batting pool.

“Obviously it (their team) is up in the air at the moment and a couple of boys are a little bit crook,’’ Latham said.

“Fingers crossed they will be right to go tomorrow. It’s just flu-like symptoms and it has gone around the team which is not ideal.’’

Asked how much it would take to rule Willliamson out, Latham said “I think it would take a lot. He is obviously a great leader among this group and I think even if there is a slim chance of him playing he will be playing.’’

With the SCG deck likely to take spin Mitchell Santner’s absence would be a further blow to the tourists.

Williamson may have to follow the lead of England’s Ashes captain Joe Root two years ago when he was in hospital on a drip on the final morning of the Sydney Test but proceeded to bat on the last day until lunch.

The Kiwis are expected to wait until match morning before confirming their side.

“If we lost those guys it would be a bit disappointing but we have a squad of 15 here that are passionate about this team and whatever side will be the right team to do the job,’’ Latham said.

Among the many selection decisions facing the Kiwis is whether to play off-spinner Will Somerville, another late inclusion this week, in the city where he grew up.

The Kiwis need a spark and while the SCG is an over-rated venue for slow bowlers at Test level, Somerville may provide it.

Originally published as Kane Williamson a doubt for SCG Test as virus hits Kiwi camp ahead of third Test