Former South Africa all rounder Lance Klusener has described his omission from the squad for the current tour of England as "a shock and disappointment".

The 31-year-old is taking legal action against the South African board because he says he rejected the chance to play for English counties after being assured of a place in the tour party.

"It's like your boss calling you on a Saturday night and saying, 'Sorry, old chap, but you don't have to come to work on Monday. You're fired'," Klusener was quoted as saying in the South African magazine You.

"Some people may think it's sour grapes, but that's not true at all," added Klusener, the player of the tournament in the 1999 World Cup.

"England would have been a highlight for me. I wanted to play at Lord's again. I played for South Africa with pride for eight years. I gave my all."

Klusener, who has played 48 Tests and 154 one-day internationals, has had a reputation as a loner, and new South Africa captain Graeme Smith has described him as a disruptive force capable of "ruining a team".

"Why is it if you don't want to be part of the crowd you're always seen as different?," Klusener said. "I'm a private person, I hate being around lots of people."

Klusener's last appearance for South Africa was at this year's World Cup, when the tournament hosts tied their final group game against Sri Lanka in controversial circumstances to exit the tournament at the first hurdle.