Down with the Sickness: What will the Black Caps XI be for the 3rd Test

UPDATED: Here's the confirmed Black Caps XI - Latham, Blundell, Raval, Taylor, Phillips, Watling, De Grandhomme, Astle, Henry, Somerville, Wagner

The Black Caps' preparation for the third and final test in Sydney has been disrupted due to several players falling ill. Niall Anderson runs through the options for the playing XI for the final test.

Glenn Phillips could be in line for a shock test debut after being called into the Black Caps as last-minute cover.

The Auckland batsman is flying to Sydney tonight to link up with the Black Caps, after illness swept through the team ahead of their third and final test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Everyone fit

Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will Somerville, Neil Wagner

Nicholls ruled out, Williamson fit

Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Glenn Phillips, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will Somerville, Neil Wagner

Both Nicholls and Williamson ruled out

Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will Somerville, Neil Wagner

If everyone is fit, they will likely pick Matt Henry and Will Somerville, instead of two spinners, but if the balance of the side needs reshuffling due to illness, then Todd Astle comes into the equation as an all-rounder to go alongside both Henry and Somerville.

Stay tuned...

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission