ALVIRO Petersen apologised to his Essex teammates after his disastrous two-month spell ended with another single figure knock in their humiliation against the Netherlands.

The South African failed to reach double figures eight times during his 10 matches for the county and was out for eight in Tuesday’s crushing CB40 defeat in Rotterdam.

His failure to be the top-order opener Essex so badly need has been one of the main reasons for the county’s disappointing start to the campaign.

Assistant coach Matt Walker said the player left the club with a heavy heart.

“We had a big meeting after the Holland game and he said he was sorry he had not got the runs he was brought in to get for us,” said Walker.

“I don’t know why it did not work out for him; we have been left scratching our heads and so has he.

“And it’s such a shame for him because he’s been a model pro.

“He’s trained hard, he’s been great in our dressing room and he’s been a great influence on our younger players.

“So he’s left us totally frustrated and devastated that he has not scored the runs for us.”

Petersen was playing with Essex to familiarise himself with conditions ahead of opening for South Africa in this summer’s Test series with England.

But a magnificent 145 against former club Glamorgan aside, he did not score more than 24 in any other of his 14 innings.

Walker said that although he had taken time to adjust to greener wickets, it was a mystery why he had struggled.

He said: “When you sign a Test player of that quality you do expect a lot more. But he has not delivered.

“He had a few technical faults, but we tried to work on those.

“And when you don’t get the best out of your overseas player like that, it is very frustrating.”

Walker made it clear that Essex’s problems were in no way just down to the form of Petersen.

He said batsmen had been “timid and simply not good enough”.

He added: “We had a meeting after the Holland game to talk about things but the truth is there is no magic wand you can wave.

“The bottom line is we have to practice harder and the players need to take more responsibility when they cross that white line.

“We’ve got guys making 25 or 30 but then not making it count. And that leaves them looking at poor stats and that puts more pressure on them.”

Walker said the Dutch defeat had been an “embarrassment” to himself and coach Paul Grayson, and apologised unreservedly to Essex fans who travelled to see the game.

He said: “The fact that we had about 300 fans who spent the money and took the time to come and see us is just devastating.

“I don’t know what to say to them. I’m embarrassed, Paul’s embarrassed, and I just don’t want to associate myself with that performance.

“We have some of the best, if not the best fans on the county circuit.

“I know our passion and commitment have been questioned and I can see why.

“But all I can say is we will work hard to put it right and we are sorry.”

Essex continue their CB40 campaign at home to Gloucestershire Gladiators on Bank Holiday Monday, and they’ll be boosted by the return of Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate from the IPL.

The club has activities celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee planned for the day, and tickets are discounted when booked in advance.

For more information log-on to www.essexcricket.org.uk or call 01245 254010.