Alviro Petersen confirms Essex stint

Alvrio Petersen, the South Africa batsman, has confirmed he will be joining Essex for the opening months of the 2012 English season ahead of the Test series against England which starts in July.

Petersen revealed his latest county stint on Twitter. "Delighted to have signed a short term contract with Essex CCC from the start of the season until mid June 2012."

Last season Petersen was Glamorgan's overseas player and captain, where he scored 2039 runs in all cricket, and had been lined up for a Kolpak deal for 2012 but his international recall against Sri Lanka put paid to that plan.

There had been suggestions that his relationship with Glamorgan didn't end well but Petersen denied that. "Just 2 put the record straight, I enjoyed my time with Glamorgan, and yes, would have wanted it to continue," he tweeted. "My agent gave Glamorgan a proposal which they didn't accept. Would have loved to join Glam!"

Petersen finished as the leading run-scorer in the SuperSport series, South Africa's domestic first-class competition, with 816 runs at 62.76 and will be expected to open the batting in the Test series against England having regained his place for the deciding match against Sri Lanka, in January, when he made 109 at Newlands.