Williamson doubtful for SCG Test; Glenn Phillips flown in as cover

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Williamson doubtful for SCG Test; Glenn Phillips flown in as cover

"[Kane] is obviously a great leader amongst this group and he's passionate about this group so I'm sure if there's any chance of him playing, even if it is a small chance, he'll certainly be playing," Latham said. © AFP

New Zealand are running short of players as they approach the third and final Test against Australia, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, set to begin on Friday (January 3), with three of their players - Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner - battling viral infections. While the first two missed their second training sessions in a row, Santner was down with a bug on Thursday.

As a result, Glenn Phillips is being flown down to Sydney later today in what is his maiden Test call-up to join the New Zealand squad as batting cover.

"We've obviously got a few balls up in the air at the moment and we want to be on the safe side and have options," head coach Gary Stead said, stressing, however, that the 23-year-old's inclusion is only precautionary. "Glenn has been in terrific form this season and has good versatility with where he can bat and the roles he can play.

"He's been around the BLACKCAPS T20 team for the past couple of years so should feel comfortable in the environment. We're still hopeful Henry and Kane will pull through and we will give them every chance to prove their fitness. If one or both are ruled out then we will consider our options and most importantly how they balance the side for this final Test."

Earlier in the day, Tom Latham said he hoped that Williamson will be available for the Test even if there is a small chance.

"[Kane] is obviously a great leader amongst this group and he's passionate about this group so I'm sure if there's any chance of him playing, even if it is a small chance, he'll certainly be playing," Latham said on Thursday (January 2). "It's gone around the team a little bit which obviously isn't ideal but fingers crossed, they're resting up today and hopefully they'll wake up and be good to go."

"If we lost those guys it would be disappointing but we've got a squad of 15 who are passionate about this team and whatever side we do play has the backing of the whole group that it's the right team for the job."

If the three players are unavailable for the Test, New Zealand will be left with only 12 players to choose from for the New Year's Test. While there are ample options in the pace attack, Matt Henry should come in as a replacement for the injured Trent Boult. Jeet Raval, despite his poor form, should also return to the side to make up for the two lost batsmen, while Todd Astle and William Somerville will go uncontested if New Zealand play two spinners.

That combination, however, won't do much good to New Zealand's batting that has already struggled in this series, further damaging their efforts to bag a consolation win with a view to push their case in the World Test Championship table.

"We haven't played our best brand of cricket and I know the guys are excited about getting out there over the next five days and trying to put a good performance on the board," Latham admitted. "Yes, the series is lost but it's the Test Championship and points are up for grabs. We'll be doing our best to put a good performance out there."

Phillips made a strong start to the current 2019-20 season, scoring centuries in all three formats, including an impressive first-class hundred against the star-studded England Test side in Whangarei in November.

Meanwhile, Australian skipper Tim Paine doesn't want to look at all that's ailing the New Zealand side going into the Test. "We spoke this morning about making sure that we turn up tomorrow with the same energy and focus that we turned up at the Gabba. All I've asked tomorrow is we turn up expecting New Zealand to come out hard and expecting it to be another fight for five days. We feel if we can match them in that area that eventually we'll be able to wear them down," Paine said.