Glamorgan let down by Alviro Petersen U-Turn

 GLAMORGAN coach Matthew Mott has criticised former captain Alviro Petersen after the South African announced he was joining Essex.

On a day where he took his squad to train with Enzo and Joe Calzaghe at their boxing base in Abercarn, Mott came out fighting by accusing Petersen of “letting Glamorgan down.”

The county claim the opening batsman signed a pre-contract agreement with them at the end of last summer to return to Wales as a Kolpak player in 2012 and retire from international cricket.

But after scoring a hundred on his Test recall, Petersen changed his mind last month and decided to continue his Proteas career.

 

“It was disappointing because it has been well documented we went to great lengths to do the right thing by Alviro,” said Mott.

“We feel let down because we had a signed agreement in place, which in my world is binding.

“He has chosen to pursue the South Africa route which is fine and we would have understood if he had told us sooner.

“After he was picked by South Africa again and made the hundred, we got a little bit nervous about what decision he would make.

“But we were confident he would still come back because when he had approached us about the Kolpak arrangement last summer, he was a current international.

“He said he wanted to settle down and have a family and get away from the international cricket limelight.

“So for me nothing had changed, but we did seek further clarification and he reassured us he was coming.

“We got further confirmation from him via a phone call with myself, Mark Wallace and Colin Metson.

“But we were disappointed after this that he still decided to change his mind.

“In that time we had let go some opportunities like Australian opener Phil Jacques, but we stuck with Alviro because of his relationship with the club.

“But then he changed his mind.”

Petersen has joined Essex on a two-month deal as an overseas player but posted messages on Twitter over the weekend stating he had still wanted to rejoin Glamorgan.

“He offered to come as a Kolpak for 2013,” added Mott.

“But once we had been let down to that degree we were not interested.

“His move to Essex was not a complete shock and we have moved on.

“After we had released there was nothing to stop him going to play for Essex and we have parted terms.

“They are going to get a very good player and someone we were keen on.”

Petersen’s U-turn has been compounded by Australian overseas star Marcus North missing the first month of the season due to the birth of his second child.

But Glamorgan are on the brink of announcing North’s replacement with Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques the leading candidate to act as cover for North in April.

“We are close to announcing our replacement for Marcus,” added Mott.

“It has been a gruelling search which is a lot more difficult than it was a few years ago with the IPL and qualifications being tightened up.

“It has been an exhaustive search and we have issued a contract, although we can’t name anyone.”

When pressed about Henriquez, Mott added: “Moises is a player of interest to us and would fit an all-rounder role, which is what we are looking for at the start of the season.

“We are also keeping our eyes for a Kolpak player and hopefully we can still pick up a gem.”

Mott also confirmed the Dragons are tracking Mitchell Johnson as the second overseas player for the T20 in June but his availability will be determined by his recovery from injury and international requirements.

“We have initiated discussions with Mitchell and he is our prime target,” said Mott.

“He is having meetings with Cricket Australia on February 18 to discuss his comeback from injury, so will know more after that point.

“If he comes back from injury on schedule he will try and play in the IPL in April and May.

“If he does not make that, then he will be desperate to play for Glamorgan.”

Source:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/sports-news-round-up/2012/02/13/cricket-glamorgan-let-down-by-alviro-petersen-u-turn-91466-30323677/