Chennai Super Kings sign Magala as injured Jamieson's replacement

Chennai Super Kings have signed South Africa fast bowler Sisanda Magala as a replacement for the injured Kyle Jamieson.

Jamieson, the New Zealand seamer, was signed for INR 1 crore at December's mini-auction but suffered a recurrence of a lower-back stress fracture shortly before last month's Test series against England. He is expected to miss several months of cricket, including the upcoming IPL.

Magala, 32, was unsold at the auction and has never previously featured in the IPL. He joins Super Kings at his base price of INR 50 lakh.

Although he has not played a T20I for South Africa since April 2021, Magala impressed for eventual champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the inaugural edition of the SA20 at the start of this year. He finished the tournament joint-fifth on the wicket charts with 14 scalps at an economy of 8.68.

While Magala has a reputation as a death bowler, he was a threat in the powerplay during the SA20, taking half of his wickets within the first six overs. He is also a useful lower-order batter who has hit two half-centuries in his T20 career.

Super Kings will play in the opening fixture of IPL 2023 against defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, but it remains to be seen if Magala will be available at the start of the tournament.

As Cricday recently reported, South African players involved in their upcoming ODI series against Netherlands will arrive late at the IPL. While the squad is yet to be named, Magala was awarded a central contract earlier this month and is involved in the ongoing series against West Indies, suggesting he is likely to be included for the Netherlands series.