South African allrounder returns home after two County Championship appearances for Essex

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Wiaan Mulder will miss Essex’s upcoming County Championship fixture against Warwickshire County Cricket Club after returning to South Africa for undisclosed personal reasons, the club confirmed.

The seam-bowling allrounder, who joined Essex County Cricket Club on a short-term three-month contract, had been scheduled to play six County Championship matches along with six fixtures in the T20 Blast. However, he will now be unavailable for the clash at Edgbaston this week.

In an official statement, Essex expressed full support for Mulder’s decision, adding that further updates regarding his return will be communicated in due course. His absence comes at a crucial stage, with Essex set to face Surrey County Cricket Club at The Oval on April 24, followed by a home fixture against Hampshire County Cricket Club on May 8.

Mulder made a modest start to his County stint, contributing 17 runs and one wicket in a win over Hampshire. In the following match against Somerset County Cricket Club, he scored 0 and 31, while his bowling was limited due to a back spasm, managing just seven overs without success.

Essex are already dealing with multiple absences. Jordan Cox is unavailable for the early part of the season owing to his commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, although he is yet to feature. Meanwhile, club captain Tom Westley missed the Somerset game due to a finger injury, with Noah Thain stepping in under the ECB’s substitution trial rule.