Seamer Sisanda Magala has been sidelined from the Proteas’ first T20I against England at Buffalo Park in East London on Wednesday.

Magala was named in the squad for the recent ODI series against England, but wasn’t deemed fit enough to be in the XI.

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‘Sisanda has not met the fitness requirements of the team and will therefore be unavailable for selection for the first T20 International between the Proteas and England in East London,’ read a statement from Cricket South Africa.

‘The Warriors seamer will undergo another test ahead of the second match, taking place in Durban on Friday.’

Magala is uncapped at international level. He performed well for the Cape Town Blitz in the 2019 Mzansi Super League.

The uncapped Pite van Biljon is in the hosts’ squad for the three-match series. Fast bowler Dale Steyn, too, has been included. Steyn has not played international cricket since March 2019.

‘I think I’ve played most of my cricket in my life for South Africa, so it’s always good to come back into this dressing room,’ said Steyn.

‘I’m excited about it. This game is hard. There are a lot of exciting things just over the horizon for me after cricket. I love playing cricket and I wake up every day and I can’t see myself doing anything else right now.’

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