New Zealand sweat on Williamson, Nicholls, Santner as bug hits team

New Zealand sweated on the fitness of batting kingpin and captain Kane Williamson Thursday after he and Henry Nicholls missed a second day of training ahead of the final Test against Australia.

Both are battling flu-like symptoms as they race to recover for the clash in Sydney.

Spinner Mitchell Santner is also unwell and did not practise on Thursday.

"It's up in the air at the moment - a couple of boys are a little bit crook unfortunately," said opener Tom Latham, filling in for Williamson in his pre-match press conference.

"They're having today off, as well as yesterday, so fingers crossed they'll be right to go tomorrow.

"It's gone around the team a little bit which obviously isn't ideal, but fingers crossed, they're resting up and hopefully they'll wake up tomorrow morning and be good to go."

If they are not fit, it will leave New Zealand with big problems.

Jeet Raval is the only specialist batsman waiting in the wings, but he has been out of form and was dropped for the last Test in Melbourne.

They also have bowlers Todd Astle, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Will Somerville on standby.

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Latham said it would take a lot for Williamson to miss a Test.

"He's obviously a great leader amongst this group and he's passionate about this group," he said.

"If there's any chance of him paying, even if it's a small chance, he'll certainly be playing."

New Zealand need all the help they can get with the opening two Tests at Perth and Melbourne ending in heavy defeats inside four days.

Australia captain Tim Paine has made clear his team has no intention of easing up despite the series being won, after winning all four of this season's home Tests within four days.