England's left-arm spinner Jack Leach is to return home from South Africa after failing to recover fully from illness, the England tour management announced Tuesday.
According to a statement, Leach "has not been able to reach the expected levels of fitness to be considered for selection."
He will leave the tour Thursday.
Really tough on Jack Leach, who is heading home from South Africa having failed to recover from illness. Had sepsis(!) in New Zealand late last year, and was hit badly by the bug before Xmas. Needs to get right for Sri Lanka in March.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) January 14, 2020
The England medical team, in consultation with Leach, decided it would be best for him to go home in order to make a full recovery.
Because of illness, Leach has not played in a match since arriving in South Africa last month.
The third of four Test matches against South Africa starts at St George’s Park Thursday.