Kiwi captain Williamson laid low by bug, could be fit in time for 2nd Test

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was on Thursday 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 in Kolkata on Friday.

"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 in the ICC Test rankings, 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 on the injury list -- Tim Southee, James Neesham and Mark Craig -- and it will come as a big blow if the skipper also fails to make the playing XI.

The 2nd Test will mark the comeback of Kiwi spinner Jeetan Patel, who last played a Test in January 2013.

The 36-year-old off-spinner, who was the leading wicket taker for Warwickshire with 69 scalps, has been flown in from England after Craig sustained an injury during the opening Test in Kanpur.

But New Zealand said they are taking it easy ahead of the 2nd Test, and hoping to bounce back from the 197-run loss in the first Test.

"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.

"It's great to see the passion and support for the sport in this part of the world. I am sure there will be lot of people at the ground tomorrow," he added. 

Image: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson 

Photograph: Twitter