Petersen cleared to replace Smith in Champions Trophy

The ICC's event technical committee has approved the name of opener Alviro Petersen as Graeme Smith's replacement in South Africa’s squad for next month’s Champions Trophy in UK.

Smith has pulled out of the event due to an ankle injury.

"The ICC has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 has approved Alviro Petersen as a replacement player for Graeme Smith in the South Africa squad for the tournament that will be staged in the United Kingdom from 6 to 23 June," the ICC said.

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before he can be officially added to the squad.

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 comprises Geoff Allardice (ICC, chairman), Campbell Jamieson (IDI representative), Steve Elworthy (Tournament Director), Alan Fordham (host representative), David Lloyd (independent nomination) and Sourav Ganguly (independent nomination).

Image: Alviro Petersen

Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images