Somerset’s South African is set to miss the county’s season opener at Durham.
There is bad news for Somerset ahead of their County Championship Division One opener against Durham on Wednesday, with overseas player Alviro Peterson missing from their squad.
The South African batsman will not arrive in England until the morning of the match, giving him very little time to make it to Chester-le-Street for the 11.00am start.
Peterson’s arrival is delayed after being held back in South Africa following fitness concerns and he will have to complete the necessary formalities before making his flight.
Although it is theoretically possible for the batsman to play against Durham, Somerset’s new director of cricket Dave Nosworthy is more realistic about the prospects.
“He will arrive in London on Wednesday morning so it’s unlikely we can get him through customs and up to Durham in time,” Nosworthy said to ESPNcricinfo.
The absence of Peterson will be a blow for the county as they will already be without Nick Compton, with the opener resting after a winter away with England.
Somerset will have seamer Alfonso Thomas at their disposal however as the bowler agreed to put the County Championship ahead of any IPL contract he may have.
The 32-year-old Peterson has played 24 Tests for South Africa, scoring 1589 runs at an average of 38.75.
The Proteas man last played for the five-day side during their recent series victory over Pakistan in February, before helping South African domestic team Lions to a Ram Slam T20 trophy triumph – beating Titans in the final.
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