Australian fast bowler Henry Thornton was hospitalised in Kanpur after suffering severe stomach pain and vomiting, reportedly caused by food poisoning at the team’s hotel.
The incident occurred during the ongoing India A vs Australia A series, prompting immediate medical attention and temporary adjustments to team protocols.
Team officials confirmed that Thornton experienced gastrointestinal discomfort shortly after dinner. When symptoms worsened overnight, he was taken to Regency Hospital, Kanpur, where he remained under medical supervision for two days.
Thornton showed signs of recovery within 48 hours and has since been discharged. The Australian team’s management responded swiftly by reviewing dietary arrangements and food safety protocols for all players and staff.
The new measures include stricter control over meal preparation, hydration routines, and sourcing of ingredients to prevent further incidents.
Three other Australian players reportedly experienced mild stomach issues around the same time, though none required hospitalization. Medical teams have been monitoring all squad members closely.
A review published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition highlights that strenuous physical activity, when combined with dehydration and slowed digestion, can trigger gastrointestinal distress in athletes.
The study notes that during intense exercise, blood flow is redirected from the gut to the muscles, reducing oxygen supply to the intestines. This can cause mild ischemia and increase gut permeability, allowing bacterial toxins and allergens to enter the bloodstream. Such physiological changes explain why athletes, especially those traveling across regions with unfamiliar diets and water sources, are more prone to digestive issues like nausea, cramps, and diarrhea during tours. 1
Recovery from food poisoning becomes much smoother when athletes follow scientifically proven rehydration strategies. A 2023 trial showed that using an oral rehydration solution (with both sodium and a moderate amount of carbohydrates) helps restore fluid balance significantly better than water alone.
In that study, athletes who took ORS had much higher fluid retention in the hours following dehydration. Incorporating such rehydration solutions, along with light meals and electrolyte replacement, can speed up recovery, reduce symptoms like nausea and cramps, and prevent complications. 2
Despite the disruption, Australia A delivered a strong performance in the second unofficial ODI at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium, leveling the three-match series 1–1. India A, who elected to bat first, were bowled out for 246 runs in 45.5 overs.
Rain shortened the Australian chase, but the visitors showed resilience. Mackenzie Harvey (70 not out off 49 balls) and Cooper Connolly (50 not out off 31 balls) forged an unbeaten 103-run partnership, sealing victory in just 16.4 overs. The decisive final match of the series will also be played in Kanpur, setting up an exciting finish.
References:
Costa, R.J.S., Snipe, R., Kitic, C.M., and Gibson, P.R. “Food-Dependent, Exercise-Induced Gastrointestinal Distress.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 8, no. 12 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-8-12.
Shirreffs, S.M., and Sawka, M.N. “Post-Exercise Rehydration in Athletes: Effects of Sodium and Carbohydrate in Commercial Hydration Beverages.” Nutrients 15, no. 22 (2023): 4759. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224759.
(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)