Prasanna Jayawardene laid low by appendix surgery

Prasanna Jayawardene in action during the secomd Test © Getty Images

Prasanna Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan Test wicketkeeper, is in a Wellington hospital after undergoing an emergency appendix operation. Jayawardene was admitted on Tuesday night after complaining of acute stomach pain and had surgery yesterday.

The illness is the latest setback for Jayawardene after he was struck on the wrist by Shane Bond, while batting in the second innings of Sri Lanka's series-leveling win at Wellington. Kumar Sangakkara took over the wicketkeeping duties in New Zealand's second innings. Jayawardene, a Test specialist, was not chosen in Sri Lanka's one-day or Twenty20 squads.

Meanwhile, Malinga Bandara and Ruchira Perera, who toured with the Sri Lanka A squad in the West Indies, are expected to join the team on Friday. Both are likely to be considered for the second Twenty20 international at Eden Park, Auckland on December 26. The first Twenty20 international begins tomorrow at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.