Harry Brook has been withdrawn from the upcoming South Africa T20 league, SA20, by the England board. The decision was conveyed to his franchise Joburg Super Kings and organisers Cricket South Africa (CSA) by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday (December 28). The ECB withdrawal is seemingly due to managing the young batter's workload.

"Since he plays all three formats, the ECB thinks it is too risky to permit him to play the SA20. We have received the communication from the ECB last night," revealed Kasi Viswanathan, the CEO of Chennai Super Kings which also owns the Johannesburg franchise in the South Africa league. "We will have to look for a replacement."

Brook, a former England Under-19 captain, was bought for R 2.10 million by the franchise at the auction earlier this year in Cape Town.

Brook, however, is expected to be part of the three-match ODI series between South Africa and England which will be held in the middle of the inaugural season of the T20 competition, which runs from January 10 to February 11. The three ODIs will be played January 27, 29 and February 1.

The ECB decision is unlikely to have any impact on the players' availability for IPL 2023 and Sunrisers Hyderabad, who bought the in-form Englishman for INR 13.25 crore by staving off a hot pursuit by Rajasthan Royals, are confident the player will be available for the next season.

An old CSK hand, Faf du Plessis is the skipper of the side with long-standing CSK coach Stephen Fleming serving as the head of the coaching staff. Albie Morkel and Eric Simons, both part of the CSK side at some stage, are also part of the support staff that also includes Nandile Tyali and Wandile Gwayu.

A league spokesperson told this Cricbuzz that SA20 is in touch with the English board and there is no definitive reply on the matter. There was no immediate response from the ECB.