Four Australia A players fall ill on India tour: Details
What's the story
The Australia-A cricket team is facing a health scare during their ongoing One-Day series against India-A in Kanpur. Four players have been diagnosed with stomach infections, including fast bowler Henry Thornton, who was the most affected and had to be hospitalized after his condition deteriorated. The other three players were treated and discharged after routine medical tests, as per India Today.
Investigation
Illness possibly related to food consumed at hotel
Team sources have hinted that the illness could be related to food consumed at their hotel. However, this has not been confirmed by hospital authorities or team management. The local manager of the team revealed that four players were initially taken to the hospital for examination. Three were cleared after their reports came back normal, but Thornton showed signs of a severe infection and had to be kept under observation.
Precautionary measures
Australian team management changes diet plan
In light of the incident, the Australian team management has changed the players' diet plan as a precautionary measure. Although this change has disrupted training routines, officials have stressed that player health is their top priority. All four affected cricketers had played in the first ODI of the series. The Australia-A medical unit is monitoring the situation closely and has advised players to avoid local food and water for now.
Denial
Hotel denies responsibility, BCCI official weighs in
The Food Department has taken samples from the hotel kitchen for testing but found no contamination or irregularities in the food served. The hotel management has denied any responsibility for the players' illness, blaming it on changing weather conditions instead. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla also weighed in on the matter, saying if food was indeed the cause, all players would have been affected.