Surgery gone wrong in South Africa for Embuldeniya

Lasith Embuldeniya leaves the field in Port Elizabeth after dislocating his thumb.

by Rex Clementine

One of Sri Lanka’s most promising spin bowlers – Lasith Embuldeniya had been forced to undergo a second surgery on his dislocated thumb after local medical experts found out that the initial surgery done in South Africa had ‘flaws’, The Island learns.

South Africa is reputed for its world class medicine facilities and the country is the best in the region for medical treatment. As for Embuldeniya, however, things had not gone right. Local professionals were not questioning the medical efficiency of South Africa but argued that long haul flights for the cricketer immediately after the surgery may have had adverse effects.

Embuldeniya was called up for his maiden tour with the Sri Lankan side aged 21 and made his Test debut in Durban. He impressed with a five wicket haul in the second innings as Sri Lanka won a tensed game by one wicket.

Then in the second Test in Port Elizabeth, Embuldeniya hurt his left thumb on day one of the game. Attempting a return catch off Kagiso Rabada, the former Royal College player dislocated his left thumb and was rushed to hospital. There he underwent surgery the same night and took no further part in the game as he was ruled out for six weeks.

Embuldeniya made a comeback during New Zealand’s tour of the island last year and he has been understudy to Dilruwan Perera. However, he has been having trouble with his left thumb unable to bend it and the pain has been excruciating when the thumb makes impact with the ball.

Upon seeking second opinion, Embuldeniya had been advised to go for a second surgery on the thumb. The timing was such that he underwent surgery soon after COVID lock down was lifted and although he missed a large junk of domestic games, he returned for the last couple for NCC.

The national cricket team will resume training today at RPS targeting Bangladesh’s tour of the island and Embuldeniya is part of the pool of 23. He is expected to be drafted into the squad of 15.

Bangladesh will arrive in the island later this month and will be playing a three match Test series starting in the last week of October.