Duanne Olivier makes himself available to play for South Africa again

In what can be called a major announcement, Duanne Olivier has made himself available to play for South Africa yet again. The bowling all-rounder was one of the many cricketers, who quit South African cricket and signed a Kolpak deal to play domestic cricket in England. However, the management at Cricket South Africa ended the Kolpak system earlier this year to get the hold on their best players.

As a result, one might see Olivier donning the national colours once again. For the unversed, the right-arm pacer, who made his international debut in 2017, did a commendable job in the Test arena. He took 48 wickets in 10 games before signing a Kolpak deal to play county cricket. Nevertheless, he’s available to play for the Proteas side.

It’s up to the selectors if they want to include me: Duanne Olivier

Speaking of his future plans, Olivier admitted he’s open to play for South Africa but is currently focusing on domestic matches for Lions. “I am open to everything but I am trying to think of the present and not the future at the moment. Victor Mpitsang (convener of selectors) phoned me and asked me if I was open to playing for South Africa again and I said of course I am,” Olivier was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“It’s up to the selectors if they want to include me,” he added. Meanwhile, Olivier also talked about some changes he did in bowling during his county stint. “I am bowling a bit fuller here in South Africa, which is something I worked on in the UK. At the Wanderers, you can easily bowl a touch shorter, that normal South African length but that may not be that effective and I really believe you should make the new ball count,” he said.

Notably, South Africa are set to host India in three Test matches, starting from mid December. If all goes well, the 29-year-old might accompany Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in South Africa’s pace attack. While this a possibility, the pacer is not setting his eyes too far. “For now, I am enjoying being back, enjoying the warmer weather and playing cricket in South Africa again. The quality and standard of the cricket has been very good and it’s nice to be back,” he asserted.