South Africa opening batsman Alviro Petersen has retired from international cricket after the top-ranked Proteas sealed a 2-0 test series win over the West Indies.

Petersen’s teammates came out from their dressing room on Tuesday to stand by him in a gesture of respect as he made his announcement at a news conference at Newlands following South Africa’s eight-wicket victory in the third and final test.

“I feel that at 34 it is time for me to retire from international cricket and to move on with my career,” Petersen said, adding he would focus on playing domestic cricket in South Africa and English county cricket for the next three years.

“It’s something I started thinking about over the last six or eight months, but when I woke up on Saturday I realised that it was the right time because there are some good young players coming through.”

Petersen made a century on debut against India in 2010 and finished with five centuries and eight half-centuries in 36 tests at an average of 34.88. He made over 2000 test runs.

His career-best 182 against England in 2012 “was pivotal to the Proteas beating England 2-0 and starting our standing as one of the best teams in the world,” Cricket South Africa chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.

Petersen played professionally for nine years before his call-up to South Africa’s test team, and then made 100 in his first innings in Kolkata and became a solid opening partner for former captain Graeme Smith.

Bidding farewell, Petersen, who hasn’t been part of South Africa’s limited-overs plans since 2013, also wished the team luck for the 50-over World Cup starting next month.

“I will miss the Proteas’ amazing team culture that we have built, international cricket, and especially my teammates, but it is time to move on,” he said.