Hearts were in it but not the heart-rates
Black Caps physio Vijay Vallabh hasn’t seen anything like it as the Black Caps were decimated by illness in the build-up to their test against Australia at the SCG.
Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner were all ruled out of the third and final test after picking up a viral infection, leaving New Zealand to rush Glenn Phillips on to a late-night flight for a test debut, and recall the out-of-form Jeet Raval into the starting line-up.
Williamson and Nicholls produced a last-gasp attempt to prove their fitness by batting in the nets yesterday morning, but they were wearing hoodies due to their fluctuating temperatures, and the Black Caps’ decision-makers collectively opted to pull the pin on their chances.
“Kane had lost about 2.5kg, so he wasn’t great, but it was safe enough to give them an opportunity to have a go, so they spent about 15 minutes in the nets batting,” Vallabh said.
“Their resting heart rates were quite elevated, so that was a sign that the flu was kicking in.
“It’s a physical occupation, so that’s when the heart rate and the vitals can get quite challenged, and that’s where the risk of subsequent injuries adds to that.
“The last thing we wanted to do is put them out knowing [the heat], and send them to the hospital and on a drip.”
Vallabh said the situation was unprecedented in his time with the team: “I’ve been around the team four-and-a-half years, and I haven’t experienced anything like this. I’ve seen the boys play through some pretty horrendous diarrhoea and vomiting in India.
“They’re quite resilient characters, but in this situation, with higher heart rates and fatigue, I think we made the right call.
“They were desperate to play — it’s a very special test — but these things happen.”
The Black Caps’ list of ailments was added to during day one of the test.
Matt Henry suffered a split fingernail when trying to field off his own bowling to Joe Burns, while Will Somerville split the webbing between the ring finger and middle finger on his non-bowling hand.