Published on 12:00 AM, December 23, 2016

Petersen handed two-year ban

South African cricketer Alviro Petersen throws a ball during a practice session at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. File Photo: AFP

Alviro Petersen, a veteran of 36 Test matches, on Wednesday became the highest-profile South African cricketer to be banned for corruption since former captain Hansie Cronje in 2000.

Former opening batsman Petersen, 36, was banned for two years after agreeing a plea bargain with Cricket South Africa (CSA).

He is the sixth player to be banned following a corruption scandal which led to former international player Gulam Bodi being banned for 20 years for attempting to fix matches in South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition during the 2014/15 season.