New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has no regrets about roasting his players in the Brisbane sun, saying it toughened them ahead of Friday's tri-series opener against Australia.

Fleming defended his decision to bowl first in last night's loss to Australia A after temperatures hit 37 degrees at the Gabba.

The humidity made conditions oppressive, forcing Kiwi paceman Shane Bond into hospital with heat exhaustion after bowling just four overs.

Bond was rehydrated with an IV drip and returned to the Gabba to bat under lights as New Zealand crashed for 222 in the 46th over in reply to Australia A's 5-282.

Fleming said he did not expect Bond to "blow a radiator", while wicketkeeper Adam Parore visibly struggled as the Kiwis played in their black uniforms.

"We're going to have days just as hot in Melbourne and Adelaide and part of the reason to bowl first was to put ourselves under that pressure to see how we would respond," Fleming said.

"Under normal circumstances we would have batted but we found out some interesting things in that heat and situation that will bode well later in the competition."

The New Zealanders might find the same temperatures in other cities but they won't have to cope with the same stifling humidity.

And Brisbane is unlikely to turn on another 37 degree day when the Black Caps meet South Africa at the Gabba on Saturday week. It was extremely hot even by Queensland standards and certainly not the place to throw a Christchurch fast bowler into the sun.

Australia A revelled in the cooler night temperatures but Fleming said he was satisfied with the workout before Friday's clash with Australia at the MCG.

"It was a very good day for us because we're now under no illusions about what's going to be required throughout the series," Fleming said.

"There were good signs and bad signs. Concentration wasn't great, but the heat had a bit to do with that.

"I thought (the heat) would have some effects and we would have to work hard with the hydration and getting an understanding of the spells to bowl."

Fleming said the black uniforms were made of a fabric which was supposed to limit the heat.

He had more concerns with paceman Dion Nash, who bowled just three overs before resting with a thigh strain.

Nash fielded and batted but his lack of bowling since hurting himself in the first Test against Australia two months ago was a concern.

"He did struggle and jar something with the run-up in the first over but it shouldn't be a problem for Friday," Fleming said.

"It would have been nice to give him some more bowling.

"He's going to have to work hard in the next couple of days but he feels better within himself even for bowling three overs."

Fleming played down the use of an IV drip on Bond after the issue became a boiling point in the AFL last year.

AFL premiers Brisbane Lions, who play at the Gabba, were rehydrating their players with the drips at halftime. The AFL banned the practice but there is no law against it in cricket.

Bond needed the drip yesterday at hospital for speedy rehydration but Fleming didn't envisage it would become common practice.

© 2002 AAP