Veteran spin bowler Daniel Vettori has ruled himself out of New Zealand’s two Tests against South Africa next month, casting doubt on his involvement in the Big Bash League.

Brisbane Heat spinner Vettori has been struggling to recover from a recent hernia operation and an achilles tendon injury incurred during the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka three months ago.

He missed New Zealand’s most recent tours to the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka – a total of seven Test matches.

Vettori said last week on the Heat’s website he was upbeat about his injury concerns.

“I’ve had a few injuries that I’m recovering from and the plan is to slowly build up with Twenty20 cricket and play some four-day cricket for my domestic side and hopefully be fit and selected for the England Test series,” he said.

The bespectacled 33-year-old signed a three-year BBL deal with the Heat in July, having represented the franchise in last year’s inaugural competition.

Even if he is unable to play, Brisbane have a track record for using Vettori’s cricket nous off the field.

Last year Vettori travelled with the Heat’s 13-man squad for a match in Sydney, even though he was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Heat skipper James Hopes said at the time he was with the squad as an invaluable source of experience and an inspirational figure.

“I will lean on Dan Vettori … that’s why we are taking him to Sydney,” Hopes said.

“He’s a good presence to have on and off the field.”

The left-arm spinner wanted to prove his fitness for the two-Test series against the Proteas starting on January 2 by playing a first-class match for Northern Districts.

However, he has been unable to do so, meaning his Test wicket tally will stay at 359 until at least the home series against England beginning in February.

The most recent of Vettori’s 111 Tests was against West Indies in Antigua in July.

He injured his groin in that match, forcing him to miss the second Test.