MOEEN ALI rejected pleas from Joe Root and the England selectors to tour South Africa.
Captain Root wanted Moeen back for the four-Test series against the Proteas which begins on Boxing Day.
But instead the all-rounder will continue to play white-ball franchise cricket.
It means Moeen is missing from the 17-man squad announced yesterday but fast bowlers James Anderson and Mark Wood are back after injury alongside Jonny Bairstow.
Chief selector Ed Smith said: It is disappointing when a player of Moeens ability is unavailable.
He asked to take a break from Test cricket at the end of the summer and was not in the recent New Zealand squad.
Myself, Joe and fellow selector James Taylor have all spoken to Moeen.
At this stage we dont know when he will be available again there is no time frame.
Moeen is a talented and valued cricketer. He said there are more Test runs and wickets in him and thats very encouraging.
Moeen was angry not to be given a central contract in September. Playing T10 and T20 cricket this winter has helped recoup some of his lost earnings.
He was picked up by the Pakistan Super League last week, which partly clashes with Englands two Sri Lanka Tests in March.
Smith added: I dont think Moeen has ruled out going to Sri Lanka. We will keep in touch.
Moeen could be chosen for the white-ball matches in South Africa in February although he was baffled not to feature in the five T20 games in New Zealand last month.
Anderson, who injured his calf in the first Ashes Test in August, is expected to be fit to face the Proteas on December 26.
Like Anderson, Durham speedster Wood has been trying to reach full fitness at a training camp in South Africa.
He will not be ready to play in the early matches on tour as he recovers from the knee injury and side strain sustained during the World Cup in July.
Wicketkeeper Bairstow is back after being dropped from the series defeat to the Kiwis.
He will have to fight his way into the team as a specialist batsman with Jos Buttler now the No1 Test gloveman.
In Moeens absence, spinner Matt Parkinson keeps his place but Saqib Mahmood makes way for Anderson and Wood.
