South Africa opening batsman Alviro Petersen retired from international cricket on Tuesday after the top-ranked Proteas sealed a 2-0 test series win over the West Indies. Petersen's teammates came out from their dressing room to stand near him in a gesture of respect as he made his announcement at a news conference at Newlands following South Africa's eight-wicket victory in the third and final test.
"I feel that at 34 it is time for me to retire from international cricket and to move on with my career," Petersen said, adding he would focus on playing domestic cricket in South Africa and English county cricket for the next three years. "It's something I started thinking about over the last six or eight months, but when I woke up on Saturday I realized that it was the right time because there are some good young players coming through."
Petersen made a century on debut against India in 2010 and finished with five centuries and eight half-centuries in 36 tests at an average of 34.88. He made over 2,000 test runs.