South Africa batsman Alviro Petersen has announced his retirement from international cricket and plans to play in county cricket as a Kolpak player.
On the day the Proteas retained the Test mace by wrapping up a series win over West Indies, the opener has decided to call time on his career with the national team.
The 34-year-old's place in the side had been under increasing scrutiny and a duck in the third Test against the Windies has proved his final knock, Petersen having not reached three figures in more than two years.
"I feel that at 34 it is time for me to retire from international cricket and to move on with my career," Petersen said.
"It has been an honour to represent my country and to be part of a South African Test team that is ranked number one in the world. I will miss the Proteas' amazing team culture that we have built, international cricket, and especially, my team-mates but it is time to move on."
Petersen, who registered five hundreds and eight half-centuries in 36 Tests, made 21 one-day appearances but had not played in that format for over 18 months.
He plans to continue playing county cricket, having represented Glamorgan, Essex and Somerset in the last four years, to take up a Kolpak deal, which ensures he does not have to be an overseas signing.
"I intend playing county and franchise cricket for the next three years and also concentrating on my foundation and my cricket school," he added.
Thank you SA, thank you @OfficialCSA , thank you fans, sponsors, fans and family. I gave my all to our country. Tears in my eyes... #proteas
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) January 6, 2015