Franklin sweats on migraines

James Franklin, the New Zealand left-arm swing bowler, is hoping his blinding migraine attacks will not ruin his World Cup dreams.

Franklin, 26, said that he first suffered from the problem when he was 12 and never knows when he will be struck down again. During New Zealand's Super Eights win over Bangladesh in Antigua on Monday, he was forced to leave the field with another migraine attack.

"It happened in the match against Bangladesh and it disappointed me as it just comes from nowhere. It came on in the game just after the drinks break," said Franklin. "I feel as though I've been smacked in the head by a heavyweight boxer but then I feel as though I can get on with it."

Franklin bowled just six overs to add to his three in the match against the West Indies last week. "Before Hobart [in February] I hadn't had a migraine for 18 months and the last time was in Zimbabwe during a Test match there. Obviously it disappointed me as it just comes from nowhere."

Franklin is now hoping the attacks stay away when New Zealand look to boost their push for a World Cup semi-final place when they take on Ireland in Antigua on Monday. "I hope it doesn't hinder me for the rest of the tournament. I don't know the scientific reason why it hits me. All I can do is prepare as well as I can. I get tunnel vision and a headache that spikes me.

"In the drinks break [against Bangladesh] I was fine but when I tried to focus on something it was all blurred. I bowled an over after that and it was a blur and in the later part it was all blue vision."

Franklin took two wickets in each of the group wins against England and Kenya before being wicketless in the Super Eights wins over the West Indies and Bangladesh. "My role has actually changed a bit in the last couple of games. I haven't found lot of swing. After the first five or six overs it tends to go away so I have brought in variations.

"I have done a bit while opening the bowling and coming on first change but my figures haven't been great. Hopefully against Ireland I can make amends. We have been pretty good so far in the sense that we have been concentrating on each game as it comes. We were very clinical against Bangladesh the other day."

Franklin said New Zealand will guard against complacency in their match against Ireland, knowing fully well that a win could ensure their spot in the last four. "It's great for Ireland to be here in the Super Eights, they did a great job in their group. They are here for a reason because they have been playing very good cricket so we must be on our toes."