Isuru Udana replaces David Willey as Mzansi Super League side Paarl Rocks' marquee player

The England allrounder has been ruled out due to the need to manage his workload, according to a Cricket South Africa statement

David Willey is to be replaced by Sri Lanka's Isuru Udana as the international marquee player for Mzansi Super League side Paarl Rocks.

The 29-year-old Yorkshire and England allrounder has been ruled out of competing in the second edition of South Africa's T20 franchise tournament due to the need to manage his workload, a Cricket South Africa (CSA) statement stated.

Udana, 31, was part of the Sri Lanka squad that toured South Africa at the beginning of the calendar year, where he averaged 132 with the bat in the three T20Is between the sides.

"We are very excited to get a player of Isuru's calibre who was Sri Lanka's star player during their T20 Series against the Proteas earlier this year," said CSA acting director of cricket Corrie van Zyl.

"He made more than twice the number of runs as any of his colleagues and had a strike rate of more than 170. This is right up with the very best standards by any comparison. He has a career strike rate of 153 in the T20 International format and one of 96 in ODI's.

"He was a regular choice for Sri Lanka throughout the recent ICC Men's Cricket World Cup which included his playing a crucial role in his country's upset 20-run win over the eventual champions, England. One of his two wickets was that of England captain Eoin Morgan.

"He is currently in action for Sri Lanka in their T20 Series against New Zealand and I am sure the Paarl Rocks players, management and fans will be keeping a close eye on his performances."

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