Alviro Petersen: South Africa batsman leaves Somerset early

Petersen has played in 33 Tests for South Africa

Somerset's overseas batsman Alviro Petersen has been ruled out for the final two Championship games of the season through injury.

The 33-year-old has flown home to South Africa after failing to recover from a knee problem he suffered while on international duty.

He has been overseas player at Taunton for two seasons, playing 17 first-class matches and scoring 1,167 runs.

"I am obviously very sad to be leaving like this," said Petersen.

"The Somerset supporters have been brilliant to me during the time that I have been here and I am going to miss all of this.

"I am sorry to be going back but given my circumstances I think this is the best thing for me to be doing."

Petersen missed part of Somerset's season after he was called up to the South Africa side for their Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe Test tours, and compatriot Colin Ingram was brought in as his replacement.