Williamson hit by bug ahead of second Test

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was today hit by a bug, compounding the visiting team's misery, but opener Tom Latham sounded optimistic about the batsman's availability in the second Test against India beginning here tomorrow.
"Kane is a little bit crook today so he won't be training," the New Zealand opening batsman said.
Asked about the discomfort, Latham said: "He's just down with a bug. Nothing too major. He's just resting so as to be fit by tomorrow."
Williamson, who is the No. 2 Test batsman, scored 75 and 25 in the first Test and is someone who can tackle spin bowling with ease.

The touring team already has three players in the injured list -- Tim Southee, James Neesham and Mark Craig -- and it would be a big blow if the skipper also fails to make the playing XI.
Meanwhile tomorrow's match may see the comeback of Jeetan Patel, who last played a Test in January 2013.

The 36-year-old offspinner, who was the leading wicket taker for Warwickshire with 69 scalp, has been flown in from England after Craig sustained an injury during the opening Test in Kanpur, which New Zealand lost by 197 runs to trail the three-match series 0-1.
But Latham said they're taking it easy and hoping to bounce back.

"We haven't been out of the hotel too much. We went to a mall yesterday," he said.
On his maiden trip to India, the Latham said he was amazed by response for a cricket Test in India.
"I haven't seen such a big gathering for a media conference before.
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Opener Rohit Sharma returned among runs with a fine 70, while an ever-consistent Virat Kohli slammed 65 before Mahendra Singh Dhoni (41), Kedar Jadhav (39 not out) contributed to take India to 269 for six after electing to bat.
"They had a good score on the board on that surface, but we knew that if we could get partnerships together, who knows, we could've done better," Williamson said.

Despite the losses, Williamson pointed out at the positives they would take home from tour.
"He (Mitchell Santner) has been outstanding. Certainly a highlight from our tour. A young cricketer, who is newish to our side. Although conditions were favourable to spinners here there are a lot of spinners who come here and struggle.
"I guess it's because of the pace of the wicket against extremely good players of spin. Mitch (Santner) has performed day in and day out. He's a great asset to have. Not to mention his batting and his fielding as well. Look forward to seeing his progression in the future,' he said.

"I think Tom Latham was outstanding. We need to take those little good bits and look at someone like Virat (Kohli)."
Ross Taylor has had a forgetful outing not only with his bat but with his fielding as well but Williamson came out in defence of the senior batsman.
"I think if you look at any winning performance, there are one or two significant performances. If you look at the India side, there's Virat (Kohli). I think pretty much every game he made significant contributions for his side. Sometimes the conditions weren't ideal to play on but someone has to step up and whoever that person is, we need a lot more," he said.

Williamson was New Zealand's top-scorer of the day with 27 before being dismissed by an expansive inside-out shot that triggered the collapse.
"It is a tough one. You feel like it's a good option to play that shot and if you get out, you question it. Here I am questioning it," he said.
"For Ross (Taylor) and I to take it deeper, it would've been a lot better for our cause. Obviously, it wasn't happening for us today. We both got dismissed when we needed at least one of us to hang in there and take the game deep."
He also praised Indian spinner Amit Mishra's match-winning performance both in the decider and the series.

"To get fifer for any bowler on any surface is a significant performance. He (Mishra) bowled very well today. I think it's justified in him getting the man-of-the-match and the man-of-the-series. He has been very consistent. We were poor and India were very good," Williamson signed off.