The ongoing Australia A tour of India took an unexpected turn off the field when fast bowler Henry Thornton was rushed to a Kanpur hospital after suffering a severe bout of food poisoning. The health scare, which briefly cast a shadow over the series, has since been resolved – with Thornton now discharged and back with the squad. But the incident has triggered a reassessment of team protocols around food and water safety.
Meanwhile, despite the off-field turbulence, Australia A pulled off an emphatic win in the second unofficial ODI against India A, leveling the three-match series 1-1 with one game to go.
Thornton Hospitalised in Kanpur, But Makes Full Recovery
According to Australian team officials, Thornton had already been experiencing mild stomach issues before arriving in Kanpur, but his condition deteriorated sharply after dining at the team’s hotel. When symptoms didn’t subside, he was taken to a private hospital, where doctors diagnosed a severe stomach infection and kept him under observation for two days.
Fortunately, the 27-year-old pacer responded well to treatment for gastrointestinal issues and has now rejoined the team, with hopes high that he’ll be available for the remainder of the tour.
The scare, however, has prompted the Australian management to overhaul dietary plans and increase caution over food and water intake. As a precaution, three other players who also experienced mild stomach trouble are being monitored closely, though none required hospitalisation.
Australia A Thump India A to Level Series
If the health scare rattled the Australian camp, it certainly didn’t show on the field. In the second unofficial ODI at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, Australia A bounced back strongly to clinch a nine-wicket win under the DLS method, after rain interrupted play.
Decider Beckons
With the series now tied 1-1, the final unofficial ODI promises to be a thrilling decider. Australia A will be buoyed not just by their dominant win, but by the return of Thornton, whose health scare could have easily derailed morale.
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges visiting teams face in subcontinental conditions – not just with the bat and ball, but with diet, climate, and environment. Credit to Australia A for staying focused and producing a high-quality performance in tough circumstances.
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