ALVIRO Petersen has returned home after failing to recover from a knee injury sustained on international duty.

The 33-year-old South African Test batsman has been Somerset’s overseas player for the last two season in which he has played in 17 First Class matches, scoring 1,167 runs at 43.22.

His best was 167 on debut against Surrey in April 2013.

In addition Petersen has played for Somerset in 13 T20 matches, scoring 316 runs at an average of 35.11, and seven List A games.

Director of Cricket, Dave Nosworthy said: “It is very unfortunate that Alviro has not been able to recover from his knee injury sufficiently since his return to the Club from his Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe Test tours where he injured himself.

“We took the stance at the time to try to assist him in his recovery, in the hope that he would recover in time to be able to play in our last few County Championship matches.

“Unfortunately and as luck might have it this has not been the case.

“Alviro has not recovered as well as we expected and he is thus returning to South Africa to undergo further medical examinations and the necessary actions as required.

“We as a club wish him all of the best during his recovery period and for his season back home, and would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his superb efforts these past two seasons.

“On the positive side of things, Alviro’s absence will again create an opportunity for one of our squad players to develop and to perform during these last two very important Championship matches that we still have left to play.”

Peterson said: “I am obviously very sad to be leaving Somerset like this before the season finishes.

“I would like to thank everyone at Somerset, the players, the support staff, Guy Lavender, Dave Nosworthy and everyone involved with club, for their help and support during the time that I have been involved at the County Ground.

“They have made me feel like I belong and they have made me feel part of the family. 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.

“Somerset is a fantastic club and I am sorry to be going back but given my circumstances I think this is the best thing for me to be doing.”