New Zealand's 'horror run' continues with latest setback

New Zealand's cricket tour from hell has taken another hit with quick Matt Henry breaking his thumb in the third Test against Australia.

Henry will continue to bowl through the pain at the SCG after suffering the blow early on day one when attempting to field a drive from Joe Burns.

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The injury is on his non bowling hand, with the right-armer's left thumb to be strapped and placed in a stint.

He could however opt not to bat, with the Black Caps saying his contribution will be "match dependent".

Henry's selection in the first place for Sydney was controversial, with the Black Caps believing he had more to offer than weary opening paceman Tim Southee.

Spinner Will Somerville is meanwhile also understood to be carrying a hand injury, with the webbing between his ring and middle finger split on his non-bowling hand.

The issues are the latest in a horror few days for the New Zealanders and come with Australia building towards a big first-innings score.

Captain Kane Williamson, star batsman Henry Nicholls and out-of-sorts spinner Mitchell Santner were ruled out before the toss with a virus, Williamson losing 2.5kg as a result of the affliction.

Trent Boult flew home after the Boxing Day Test loss in Melbourne, after Mitchell Starc broke his hand as he tried to fend off a bouncer.

That prompted Glenn Phillips to be flown across from Auckland at the last minute to play in Sydney, while Jeet Raval, Todd Astle and Somerville were also new additions.

Team physio Vijay Vallabh says he hasn't experienced a week like it in his four-and-a-half years with the side.

New Zealand are already 2-0 down in the three Test series, beaten by 296 runs in Perth and 247 runs at the MCG.