Essex will be without one of their key overseas signings for their upcoming County Championship fixture, as all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has temporarily returned to South Africa for personal reasons. The 28-year-old will miss the match against Warwickshire starting this Friday.

Mulder, a versatile player who has represented South Africa 65 times across all formats, was slated to be a crucial part of Essex's campaign. His signing was a major coup, bringing a world champion's pedigree to Chelmsford after he helped South Africa clinch the World Test Championship title last year.

In his two appearances for Essex so far this season, Mulder has contributed 48 runs and taken one wicket. The club has stated they are "fully supportive" of his decision to return home and expect his absence to be temporary, with an update on his return to be provided later.

His departure creates a significant gap in the squad, as he was scheduled to feature in the first seven red-ball matches and be available for the initial stages of the T20 Blast next month. Essex will now need to adjust their lineup as they look to bounce back from a recent 10-wicket loss to Somerset.