New Zealand captain Vettori battles mystery illness

New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori has undergone blood tests in the hope of identifying a mystery illness which has left him feverish and lacking in energy.

New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori has undergone blood tests in the hope of identifying a mystery illness which has left him feverish and lacking in energy.

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New Zealand manager Dave Currie said Vettori had been suffering for several days from flu-like symptoms and listlessness. Team medical staff had not been able to identify his ailment and sent Vettori for blood tests on Saturday. Results are expected within two days.

Vettori spent a full day in the field on the second day of New Zealand's first test against Pakistan on Saturday and bowled 22 overs, conceding only 29 runs.

He was visibly unwell throughout the day, frequently crouching or standing with his hands on his knees.

"Clearly he is not a million dollars, you can see that, but he's well enough that he's played," Currie said.

"The health team aren't sure what it is, he's had some tests, we'll have the results in a couple of days and we'll see what happens."

Former New Zealand selector Dion Nash, now a radio commentator, said Vettori was tested for malaria.

"I don't know where he got that from," Currie said. "He's had blood tests for whatever, so where he made that speculation from I have no idea.

"He (Vettori) has been in India (on tour in November-December) so I guess you test for everything, but there's no speculation that's what it is at all.

"The reality is he's playing, he's not on death's door."