New Zealand cricket team troubled by illness

Napier, March 9 (IANS) Illness has struck New Zealand cricket team, leaving up to three players in doubt for their final World Cup Pool A game against Bangladesh on March 13.

Head coach Mike Hesson was reluctant to provide details but said on Monday that "two or three" unnamed players felt unwell following their six-wicket win over Afghanistan here. He added that there was uncertainty over their availability for Friday’s encounter against Bangladesh in Hamilton.

"We've got a few guys who are a bit ill today, so hopefully they recover in time. I know at least two or three are down so we'll see how they scrub up," Hesson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Fast bowler Adam Milne’s availability too is in doubt having suffered a shoulder knock in the field in the game against Afghanistan.

Hesson added his chief concern is to keep his players match-fit through the later stages of the quadrennial event given the thin schedule for his team between the game against Australia on February 28 and the quarterfinal in Wellington on March 21.

"If guys have got a niggle, we won't force it. But when you've got two games in 21 days, we're not going to make that one game in 21 days in terms of preparation. If the guys are fit and still performing, then they'll get another chance," concluded Hesson.