Alviro Petersen Announces He Is Joining Essex

Alviro Petersen Announces He Is Joining Essex

Petersen has enjoyed considerable success since his recall to the South African Test side.

©REUTERS/Shaun Roy. Picture Supplied by Action Images

South African batsman Alviro Petersen has revealed via his Twitter account that he has signed a contract with Essex for the first part of the 2012 county season.

Speaking on Twitter, Petersen said, “Delighted to have signed a short term contract with Essex CCC from the start of the season until mid June 2012.”

Essex coach Paul Grayson later said of the club's capture of Petersen: "It is very exciting that we can bring in Alviro to the club as he is an experienced county cricketer. Obviously he has played against us many times before and he hit a good 100 for Glamorgan when we went to the SWALEC Stadium last season. He will certainly bring his vast knowledge, experience and leadership in the game to the squad."

He went on to outline the length of the 31 year-old's stay at Chelmsford, saying, "We are all very happy to be able to add someone of Petersen's quality to the squad for the first half of the season, featuring in eight LV= County Championship and four Clydesdale Bank 40 games."

Of his time at Glamorgan, which has ended in controversial circumstances, Petersen added on Twitter: “Just 2 (sic) put the record straight, I enjoyed my time with Glamorgan, and yes, would have wanted it to continue. They played a massive part in my success at international level. Great fans, good people! I thank all involve (sic)!”

Petersen had been due to re-join Glamorgan as a Kolpak player in 2012, but he was recalled to South Africa’s Test side, thus angering the Welsh club who thought they had already come to an agreement with the 31 year-old. He responded to many annoyed at this apparent betrayal, saying on Twitter, “My agent gave Glamorgan a proposal which they didn’t accept. [I] would have loved to join Glam!”

© Cricket World 2012