Kane Williamson misses training for second day in a row as illness hits New Zealand ahead of Sydney Test

Tom Latham, a likely candidate to stand in for Williamson as skipper in the event he is unable to lead his team at the SCG, backed his teammate to recover

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Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls are doubts for New Zealand ahead of the final Test against Australia in Sydney after illness struck the Kiwi camp.

Captain Williamson and batsman Nicholls sat out practice for the second successive day on Thursday, while allrounder Mitchell Santner has also been affected. 

Tom Latham, a likely candidate to stand in for Williamson as skipper in the event he is unable to lead his team at the SCG, backed his teammate to recover.

"[Williamson] 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.

^{Henry Nicholls is a doubt because of illness}

"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."

Jeet Raval is the spare batting option in the Blackcaps' touring squad.