Jayasuriya set to play despite tonsillitis

Sanath Jayasuriya will play in Sri Lanka's crucial match against New Zealand on Tuesday but team officials are concerned over his health after his fourth bout of tonsillitis in three months.

Jayasuriya stayed in bed and missed practice on Sunday after suffering what manager Ajit Jayasekera described as "a severe fever". He coughed and spluttered his way through net practice on Monday.

Jayasuriya had been plagued with tonsillitis during the Super Six stage of the 2003 World Cup and had been laid low again during last month's Sharjah Cup.

"We are concerned by the number of times that he has been laid low by tonsillitis," said Jayasekara. "This is the fourth time since the start of the World Cup."

Sri Lanka are expected to make two changes to their lineup for the New Zealand game, with Tillakaratne Dilshan replacing Russel Arnold in the middle order and Upul Chandana getting a look in as an allrounder.