Severe tummy bug not 'dehydration' the REAL reason England captain Joe Root dramatically rushed to hospital - just minutes before he was set to resume batting in final Ashes Test

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England captain Joe Root is in hospital with severe dehydration

England captain Joe Root was rushed to to hospital because of viral gastroenteritis and not severe dehydration as originally announced by the England Cricket Board.

Root was set to return to the crease on 42 not out on the fifth day of the final Ashes Test in Sydney before dramatically seeking treatment.

He endured extremely hot temperatures in the field on Sunday, with Sydney temperatures reaching 47C, while some readings in the middle of the SCG hit the 50s.

Root batted for nearly three hours in the stifling heat. 

'Joe Root is currently in hospital with severe dehydration,' the England Cricket Board tweeted on Monday morning.

'There will be a further update as to whether he will be fit to resume this morning.'  

Root was set to return to the crease on 42 not out as the visitors bid to avoid losing their last six wickets to hand Australian a 4-0 series victory

The gastro bug is understood to be similar to the illness that struck the Australian squad earlier in the series.