Sunday 21 May 2017 14:35, UK
South African paceman Dale Steyn is set to miss all of this summer's tour of England.
The 33-year-old has not played since breaking a bone in his right shoulder during the first Test against Australia last November and had already been left out of South Africa's Champions Trophy squad.
However, he had been named in the South Africa A squad to tour the United Kingdom in May and June, with a view to proving his fitness ahead of the Proteas' four-match Test series against England, which begins in July.
But a Cricket South Africa spokesperson has confirmed that Steyn will miss the A team tour and he now looks to be targeting September's clash with Bangladesh for his possible international comeback.
Steyn told cricinfo.com: "My recovery is going well but it is taking a little longer than I expected it to.
"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."
One of South Africa's best bowlers of all time, Steyn has taken 417 wickets in 85 Tests so far.
And the former Essex and Warwickshire man added that he could play some county cricket later this year to warm up for Bangladesh.
"Obviously, one of the reasons for me playing with the A side was so that I could get some match fitness before the Tests," he added.
"So, before that Bangladesh series, I will need to play a bit.
"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."
