Kent refuse McLaren's SA request

McLaren had been keen to get a taste of international cricket

Kent have refused to allow key all-rounder Ryan McLaren to join South Africa's limited-overs squad.

McLaren was picked by the Proteas in a Twenty20 and ODI squad to take on Bangladesh and Kenya from 31 October.

However McLaren, 25, has a Kolpak deal with Kent which lasts until 2010, and under its terms he cannot play international representative cricket.

His agent Arthur Turner told BBC Sport: "He liked the idea of playing for South Africa but he can't do that now."

Under the Kolpak ruling, South Africans can play for English counties as though they were European Union citizens.

But the loophole does not apply to players involved in South Africa's national side.

McLaren was the hero when Kent won the Twenty20 Cup in 2007, and may now seek to qualify to play for England instead.

We understand Ryan's request to be released, but he is a key player and Kent have built the team around him

Paul Millman, Kent chief executive

"International cricket is very much on the back burner for him now," said Turner. "But [playing for England] wouldn't be off the table. He wouldn't write that off."

He added that the relationship between McLaren and his county remained "very, very amicable."

Kent chief executive Paul Millman said: "We understand Ryan's request to be released by Kent for the remainder of his contract to play for South Africa but we are not in a position to agree to it.

"Ryan is a key player and Kent have built the team around him. This has become even more relevant because of our demotion to the second division of the County Championship."

Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola said: "We are obviously disappointed that Ryan has had to withdraw, but there is nothing more that we can do about it.

"We are not going to replace him in the Standard Bank ODI squad for the two matches against Kenya as 13 players should be sufficient.

"We will re-assess the position before the one-day series against Bangladesh."

Makhaya Ntini is rested from both limited-overs squads, but plays in the Tests.

Test squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Monde Zondeki.

One-day squad: Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Amla, Kallis, Duminy, De Villiers, Justin Ontong, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Steyn, Zondeki.

Twenty20 squad: Smith (captain), Loots Bosman, De Villiers, Gibbs, Duminy, Ontong, Botha, Rory Kleinveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Steyn.