Philo Wallace admitted in hospital

Philo Wallace spent the day yesterday in a Georgetown hospital after a late-night operation on his appendix on Saturday.

The Barbados opening batsman suddenly developed stomach pains as lunch approached during the Red Stripe Bowl match against Guyana at Bourda.

After the pain intensified following his dismissal, a doctor at the ground recommended that he go to the Woodland hospital where blood tests determined that an operation was necessary.

The surgeon evaluated him, performed the operation and it was successful, team manager Tony Howard said just before the start of Barbados' final preliminary match against Southern Windwards at the Enmore Community Centre yesterday.

Philo is now resting very comfortably. He is in excellent spirits. He has sent his best wishes to the guys.

He says to tell everybody in Barbados that he doesn't have any problems and that he'll be home on Wednesday.

After yesterday's match, the team visited Wallace in an effort to boost his spirits and let him know that we are all behind him.

The operation was performed by Dr Bud Lee, regarded as one of Guyana's best surgeons and is certain to put Wallace out of cricket for a few weeks.

Wallace's problems surfaced on a day in which he was due to attend a post-match hearing with match referee Shamkarran Singh and umpires Basil Morgan and Billy Doctrove.

It stemmed from his reaction to his dismissal in which Morgan gave him out to a catch by wicket-keeper Vishal Nagamootoo off fast bowler Colin Stuart.

Wallace seemed stunned when the umpire ruled that he had edged an attempted cut. He stood his ground for a few moments, had a stare at umpire Morgan before making his way off the ground.

As he approached the pavilion, the crowd responded with loud boos and jeers.

Sources also revealed that Wallace could have been in line for a penalty because of his conduct.

His place yesterday for Barbados' decisive match against Southern Windwards was taken by debutant Kurt Wilkinson, who batted at No. 6.

Adrian Griffith, usually an opener who came in at No. 5 during Barbados' first two matches, moved up to partner Sherwin Campbell at the top of the order.

Barbados also made another change to the line-up that went down to Guyana by 32 runs.

Ryan Hinds, now fully recovered from the viral illness that kept out him of Saturday's match and limited his participation in Tuesday's opening game against Antigua and Barbuda, returned in place of fast bowler Corey Collymore, who conceded more than five runs an over in the first two matches.