Dale Steyn has ruled himself out of playing for the SA A side as planned, and will miss the Test series as a result.

Speaking at the CSA awards dinner, Steyn said that while he feels physically fit and has started rehabilitation and gym work, he has not reached the point where he is able to bowl.

‘My recovery is going well, but it is taking a little longer than I expected it to,’ Steyn said in an interview with Cricinfo. ‘I am able to do a lot of things, like running, hiking and gym work, but bowling is not one of them, and I won’t be ready in time.’

The former No 1 Test bowler in the world is, however, optimistic that he will recover in time for South Africa’s home series against Bangladesh beginning on 28 September.

‘Obviously, one of the reasons for me playing with the A side was so that I could get some match fitness before the Tests. So, before that Bangladesh series, I will need to play a bit,’ Steyn said.

Steyn also said he may consider playing some County cricket in England in a bid to regain match-fitness.

‘In a way it could be quite funny … South Africa will be playing a Test series in England and maybe at some ground down the road, Dale Steyn will be playing for another team,’ he joked.

Steyn has taken 417 Test wickets and is looking to surpass Shaun Pollock (421) as South Africa’s all-time leading wicket-taker.