KEY POINTS:
Acute brachial neuritis, biceps and calf problems, freak accidents in the nets and now this - James Franklin's mystery migraines.
The scariest aspect of New Zealand's recent problems is that the injuries and ailments have struck down the most reliable members of the squad, leaving the usual suspects propping up the operation.
Franklin's revelation that he's concerned about the random nature of the migraine attacks that forced him from the field during the tri-series in Australia and again against Bangladesh last Tuesday, has added yet another twist to New Zealand's World Cup bid.
The left-arm paceman quit the game after bowling just six overs against Bangladesh, raising fears of the consequences should he be similarly afflicted in New Zealand's three key games in Grenada, or during the play-offs.
New Zealand have doubts over the fitness of Mark Gillespie, who hasn't played a game since arriving in the Caribbean with a viral complaint, and Michael Mason, forced from the field against Bangladesh with a calf strain.
Add Ross Taylor's slow recuperation from a hamstring tear, and it's clear New Zealand can ill-afford any more setbacks.
Franklin said he'd had problems with migraines since he was about 12 years old and that the usual effects were blurred vision, tunnel vision, and the onset of a blinding headache. The only remedy was an analgesic and three or four hours lying in the dark.
"I feel a bit like I've been smacked in the head by a boxer," he said. "I hope it doesn't hinder me again during the tournament because I was pretty annoyed about having it during that game; I was just hitting my straps at the bowling crease.
"It's not stress - I'm naturally a pretty calm person. I just don't know - I don't know if anyone does."
While he, Gillespie, Mason and Taylor nurse themselves through their discomforts, the squad's most injury-prone members have so far avoided any problems and have underpinned New Zealand's success.
Shane Bond has been bowling within himself and appears stable, Daniel Vettori remains problem free, as are Jacob Oram and Scott Styris, two players who were held back from this summer's tri-series because of injury.
Franklin said the migraine episodes were particularly annoying because they had become less frequent as he grew older, leading him to believe they wouldn't trouble him in adulthood.
"I thought it might be down to diet and I have cut out things like caffeine to avoid becoming dehydrated but I was pretty well hydrated the other day and it came from nowhere.
"I was fine at the drinks break, I had a drink, put the cup down and looked up and suddenly noticed there was little blurry patch. I bowled another over and about half way through I knew it was time to get off the park."
