McKenzie ruled out of NatWest Series

Neil McKenzie has been ruled out of this summer's Natwest Series in England after failing to recover from a back injury.

McKenzie damaged a disc in his lower back while batting in a Test against Bangladesh at the start of May, and the injury has not yet fully healed. As a result, the South African selectors have left him out of the one-day tournament with the Test series against England - which starts on July 24 - in mind.

"I have made good progress, but I am probably two weeks short of full fitness," McKenzie said. "If I pushed myself to be ready for the one-dayers I might risk missing out on the whole tour and I'd rather make sure I am 100% for the Test series."

McKenzie was surprisingly dropped from the South African World Cup squad, but he has been in good form since his recall, with 186 runs in his last four ODI innings. South Africa's first game in the NatWest Series is against England at The Oval on June 28.