South Africa vs England: Tourists revise plans to call Liam Plunkett into squad for remainder of tour

Liam Plunkett's call up to the England squad for the limited-overs series in South Africa is now under threat after suffering a thigh injury. Plunkett, 30, was named in the squad for the five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches which will follow the final Test at Centurion next week.

But the Yorkshire seamer was ruled out of the England Lions' one day-international against Pakistan A in Dubai on Wednesday (January 20), leaving his involvement in doubt.

The ECB have since announced plans for Plunkett to fly out to South Africa to join up with the squad on Saturday (20 January) have been "revised" after he suffered a strained muscle in his left thigh. He will undergo further tests on Thursday (21 January) before a final decision on his fitness is made.

A report on the ECB website read: "Liam Plunkett was also ruled out of the opening match with a strained muscle in his left thigh. England have therefore revised their plans for Plunkett to fly to South Africa at the weekend, after playing two matches for the Lions, to join their preparations for the one-day and T20 series against the Proteas.

"Plunkett will have a further test tomorrow to check on his fitness for the second match of the Lions series on Friday".

On Monday, Plunkett was named as Steven Finn's replacement for the limited-overs series. Fast bowler Finn was ruled out with a side strain suffered in the seven wicket victory in Johannesburg on 16 January and will miss the final match of the four-test series in addition to five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches.