Sisanda Magala: I wanted to retire because I was tired of it all

Proteas fast bowler Sisanda Magala almost retired from professional cricket in November 2022.

Magala has been the subject of public criticism – over weight and match fitness – before and since debuting for the Proteas in 2021.

Get Club Cricket SA news on Whatsapp

What Magala said

“It’s really weird because I think last year November I wanted to retire because I was tired of it all,” Magala told IOL Sport.

“I felt I was always fighting, defending myself in a way. I promise you I wanted to retire last year because I didn’t enjoy cricket it felt like a chore.”

Magala won the inaugural edition of the SA20 with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape earlier this year and recently played for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He collected 11 wickets across two T20Is against West Indies and two ODIs against Netherlands – and has been contracted by Cricket South Africa.

“I remember saying that one of my dreams was to play in the IPL. I got picked for the England series and before those matches I was so nervous because I was listening to the outside noise,” he added.

“I was really angry at myself for believing the outside noise and letting it affect my preparation and my performances.

“Because of my support structure, I told myself that whatever people say about me it wouldn’t take anything away from who I am and what I bring to the table.

“After that I went back to domestic cricket and then the West Indies series came about and that series really had me feeling good. It also reignited me in terms of knowing and feeling that there was a lot more left for me to do in my career.

“Before you know it, I was in the IPL. I’ll never forget that experience. In terms of wanting to retire in November to playing in the IPL four months later, it changed a lot for me.”

What Magala said

MORE latest SA domestic cricket news