What's new

South African pacer Duanne Olivier - Performance Watch

M

Markhor

T20I Captain
Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Runs
42,535
Post of the Week
13
Been looking forward to seeing Duanne Olivier in this Test between England and South Africa. He played one Test vs Sri Lanka in the winter at home but this will be a sterner challenge against better opposition.

He's 25 years old, has taken 259 wickets at an average of 20 in 63 FC matches which is an exceptional record. Allan Donald says he can bowl 145kph+ and is adept at getting the ball to swing away late. Hits the deck hard and has done well even on flat pitches in South African domestic.

However in the few overs I've seen him bowl today, his pace is between 80-85mph and he's struggled to find his line. He's getting away swing but its easy for the batsmen to leave. Ended up bowling too straight and got picked off by Joe Root.

Still early days and the first time he's bowled in England. Let's see how he does.
 
First impressions suggest that he isn't quite test quality, but early days as you stated and it might have been just nerves holding him back. However, he came across as the quintessential trundler that chugs away at the level between club and first class cricket. Essentially those first class numbers are a tad questionable because records in non-franchise cricket in South Africa are given equal billing to the premier domestic competition.
 
Last Monetarist said:
First impressions suggest that he isn't quite test quality, but early days as you stated and it might have been just nerves holding him back. However, he came across as the quintessential trundler that chugs away at the level between club and first class cricket. Essentially those first class numbers are a tad questionable because records in non-franchise cricket in South Africa are given equal billing to the premier domestic competition.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised at his pace, from what I've read he has a reputation for being much quicker. Maybe he's compromising on pace and focusing on getting the ball to swing in these conditions.

Olivier however possesses a strong record in SAF's premier domestic competition - in the 2016-17 Sunfoil Series he took 52 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 18. That's 14 more wickets than the second leading wicket-taker who played the same number of matches.

Michael Holding making a good point on commentary about Olivier's seam position. Its slanted towards the slip so the ball swings earlier and its easier for the batsmen to leave, compared to Philander who keeps the seam more upright and gets the ball to swing later.
 
Markhor said:
I'm surprised at his pace, from what I've read he has a reputation for being much quicker. Maybe he's compromising on pace and focusing on getting the ball to swing in these conditions.

Olivier however possesses a strong record in SAF's premier domestic competition - in the 2016-17 Sunfoil Series he took 52 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 18. That's 14 more wickets than the second leading wicket-taker who played the same number of matches.

Michael Holding making a good point on commentary about Olivier's seam position. Its slanted towards the slip so the ball swings earlier and its easier for the batsmen to leave, compared to Philander who keeps the seam more upright and gets the ball to swing later.
Click to expand...

The point about seam position is really interesting and something any decent bowling coach should be able to fix in the nets. Obviously he hasn't bowled a lot in English conditions and is probably over-compensating with the wrist position to try to get the ball to swing, which is why it's all coming out a bit telegraphed. It's classic conditions for swing bowling though and you don't really need to do a lot to get it to swing on such days.

On the pace point, it is a bit reminiscent of the coterie of Pakistani bowlers who have stellar first class records and when they are first thrust into international cricket, everyone just assumes that we've unearthed a star with express pace. I know I've been guilty of such wishful thinking on a couple of occasions, not least with Rahat Ali.

Olivier reminds me a lot of Andrew Hall, who could crank it up to 87-88 mph when the mood took him but usually averaged 81-82 and was nothing more than a support act for the other bowlers apart from when the ball was reversing due to his ability to bowl cutters.
 
Was a nice touch of Faf du Plessis to give Olivier a crack at England's tail and give him confidence.

However in his short spell today in the 2nd innings, he wasn't much better. Lacked accuracy and control over line and length.

Will be a straight swap for Rabada at The Oval.
 
Seedha seedha bolo kafi miss lag raha tha :))
 
Looks a slightly taller version of Hardik Pandya; pace is decent but apart from that there is nothing to his bowling.
 
Like the look of him even though he was pretty ordinary this game. Hits the pitch hard and has a good seam.
 
South Africa had a very good fast bowler who has disappeared of the scene Marchant de Lange, he looked a really good prospect
 
carbon11 said:
South Africa had a very good fast bowler who has disappeared of the scene Marchant de Lange, he looked a really good prospect
Click to expand...

Playing in England...

Marchant de Lange to join Glamorgan in latest example of South African exodus

The raft of international players joining English counties from South Africa is set to continue with Glamorgan close to signing the 26-year-old fast bowler Marchant de Lange on a long-term deal, despite him not qualifying under the controversial Kolpak ruling.

Seven recent internationals have joined counties as Kolpaks in the close season, but De Lange is not eligible to play as one because he has played an insufficient amount of international cricket in the past two years. Kolpak registrations require the player to have appeared in one Test match or 15 limited-overs internationals in the 24 months before signing. In that period, De Lange has played one ODI and one T20 international.

Instead, pending the awarding of a visa and ECB approval, he will be registered as a local player as his wife has a British passport.

The ramifications of this are more severe than for a Kolpak registration. While, like a Kolpak, he would be ending his South Africa career to make the move, he would only be eligible to play as a local player in one country’s domestic competitions. Thus, if he wants to continue playing South African domestic cricket, it would have to be as an overseas player.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/03/marchant-de-lange-glamorgan-south-africa
Click to expand...
 
carbon11 said:
South Africa had a very good fast bowler who has disappeared of the scene Marchant de Lange, he looked a really good prospect
Click to expand...

He had an injury and never looked the same again. Essentially his spot was taken by Abbott before Rabada came into the scene. It's unfortunate but that's just how it is.
 
Better performance from him today, coming in after Philander's injury.

He kept the seam more upright whereas at Trent Bridge it was towards second slip. Bowled in the right channel more often. Still needs to improve his accuracy - you feel he always has one hit-me delivery every over or so.
 
Last edited:
Needs to improve his accuracy, but he used the conditions far better than Morris did in the last test.
 
Really nothing special. Hustles and Bustles in like he's going to bowl 90 mph and he throws one down at 82. He doesn't have accuracy either, all over the place.
 
Bowler better thus far compared to previous outings
 
Finally was consistent with his line and length in this innings and got the reward with the wicket of Stokes.
 
Dark Magician said:
He had an injury and never looked the same again. Essentially his spot was taken by Abbott before Rabada came into the scene. It's unfortunate but that's just how it is.
Click to expand...

He signed a Kolpak deal afaik
 
Reminds me of Mike Watkinson from Lancashire all those years ago.

Just taken his 3rd wkt.
 
Been a lot better in this test as he appears to have found the right length to bowl in England. Nowhere near the world-beater his first class record seemed to suggest though.
 
Duanne Olivier - South Africa fast-bowler performance watch

Well he is terrific but then does it need much to get Pakistan wickets? We will know when he plays against other teams

Capture.JPG
 
I mentioned him here after debuting in England last year: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...er-Performance-Watch&highlight=Duanne+Olivier

He was struggling to control the swing with the Dukes ball - it was swinging from his hand rather than later on. He didn't look too impressive or that quick.

However he's bowled with pace having hit 145kph in this innings, has tested us with some short deliveries and looks good for a 5-fer.
 
Last edited:
His first 5fer in Test cricket.

Remember seeing him in his first few tests but he's seemed to have improved a lot since as he's now bowling at 140kph consistently and also went to 145. Before he used to be in the 133-135kph range as his average pace.
 
Still don't think he's a long term option for RSA. He can hurry you with some pace and bounce but thats about it.
 
Doesn't look anything special.Its more the pitch and rusty Pak batting
 
Back of a length specialist. The lifters he's bowling would trouble any batsman in the world. His full length deliveries have nothing in them really, they're just floated up. His action is such that he's able to generate more pace on a downward trajectory instead of a straightforward one.
 
Chief Destroyer said:
Back of a length specialist. The lifters he's bowling would trouble any batsman in the world. His full length deliveries have nothing in them really, they're just floated up. His action is such that he's able to generate more pace on a downward trajectory instead of a straightforward one.
Click to expand...

That wouldn't have same bounce outside SA no
 
10 wickets for him and a star is born... Thanks to Pakistan!
 
MenInG said:
10 wickets for him and a star is born... Thanks to Pakistan!
Click to expand...

SA has embarrassment of riches when it comes to pace bowlers. This is after losing Morne Morkel to England. Lungi Ngidi is another star that is not playing.
 
We made him look like a million bucks, short deliveries are way short, full deliveries shouldn't be talked about.. our duds made him champion
 
He's upped his pace now. Before he was bowling low to mid 130s, now he's high 130s to low 140s
 
Duanne Olivier: The difference between the two sides

Player of the series for me!

He tormented the Pakistani batsmen like no other! Much was expected from Philander and Steyn but this man made crucial breakthroughs throughout! Clearly a game changer for them.

Huge respect. Beast of a performance
 
He has to do something else as well if he wants to do well in international cricket. Pakistan is one team and he had done well by bouncing out Pakistanis. You can't bounce out everyone.
 
he is nothing special..ngidi was ahead of him..mehraj would have played all tests against any other country but SA knew they would beat us in 3 days...all he did was bouncer after bouncer surely you would think there is a way to play him
 
A bits and pieces bowler. He would be lucky to take 2 wickets in a test against top teams. Totally toothless bolwer!

Another mediocre player who has been made to look world-class by our mighty batsman.
 
Will be interesting to see how he does against better teams.
 
He is my player of the tournament, no doubt on it.

However, his success has a lot to do with inability of Pakistan batsmen against bouncers and short ball, just look how terrible Azhar Ali is against short ball. He will find it harder against relatively better batting teams.
 
He’s got pace and height but has looked one dimensional.
His bouncer tactic worked against our inept batting but st the same time he went for plenty of runs so I think we should reserve judgment until he plays against better sides or on slower decks..
 
He's actually better than this bouncer nonsense he's been asked to bowl. You don't get to average in the 20s in our domestic level without a certain level of skill. You ask anyone that has seen him and they'll tell you that this is the highest amount of bouncers he's bowled, ever. His normal mode of dismissal is pitched outside of stump with a little bit of movement away from the right hander.
 
I am really impressed how he genarates so much pace from such an ordinary run up and action. He hasnt broken down either in any of his spells in the series.

Must be a really strong lad.
 
Monster, maybe one dimensional a monster none the less. South Africa have been crying out for an enforcer for years a la Mitchell Johnson. Morkel could have been that guy, but was too erratic whatever length you expected him to bowl. Duane is erratic himself, however he gets his bouncers right more often than not.

What makes him dangerous is the lift he gets off the deck, orthodox bowlers like Steyn and Rabada can't get that as quick as they are. He'll run through Asian sides (at the very least) in these conditions. But he'll displace Ngidi who has better control, taller and quicker. A very decent fifth bowling option.
 
Dark Magician said:
He's actually better than this bouncer nonsense he's been asked to bowl. You don't get to average in the 20s in our domestic level without a certain level of skill. You ask anyone that has seen him and they'll tell you that this is the highest amount of bouncers he's bowled, ever. His normal mode of dismissal is pitched outside of stump with a little bit of movement away from the right hander.
Click to expand...
Most definitely, in England especially he got the ball to move a lot unfortunately his line wasn't right. He is the type of bowler who'll thrive with runs on the board as result run through sides. He needs to work on being consistent in that fuller line and length and he'd be a complete bowler. Then again we asked the same of Morkel and he never delivered.
 
The point being ..tall right arm bowler swinging it both ways and able to seam the ball, good bouncer good pace..can be erratic but in this kind of attack with Rabada philander and steyn there is no let up so it’s inevitable that he feasted in pak batsmen.
 
Pleased to know that SA pace attack will be as good as ever. No drop in quality since donald or steyn in pomp.
Rabada, oliver, ngidi are great prospects for many years to come.

Aus attack is also formidable.
India pace bowling is better than ever, domestic cricket has some exciting quickies.
NZ has also got some good upcoming talents in pipeline matt, fergu, milne.
Hopefully WI can polish alzarri, oshane immense potential.
Not so sure about england's young pacers.

Great bowling attacks are developing around the world. Pitches are hating draws. No element of Umpire's luck with DRS.
Averaging 50 will be as tough as in the 80s. And this year's stat tells the story.
Nobody should complain about lack of quality today.
 
To be honest modern batsmen are soft. The moment the pitch is not in their favour they moan and throw tantrums. Olivier bowled unplayable bowls but a requirement of a test batsmen is to survive those kinds of balls. They failed badly. Remember that spell where morkel ruffed up CLARKE? As a test batsmen you gotta survive that and cash in later. Pakistan have failed to do that.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I like how most fans and people on this site hate him. Can you imagine any other time period in history where a bowler who takes 24 wickets in 3 tests is so hated? He was bowling fuller this test match and possesses variety contrary to what every1 thinks. I think he is a must pick and should replace ngidi. Now let's just see if the quota system let olivier play. I think he definitely won't play on away tours as maharaj and ngidi will play. If dale steyn retires after the world cup, that is the only chance he will have to cement his spot.
 
VKB Knights have congratulated Duanne Olivier on being named Castle Lager Man of the Series at the conclusion of the South Africa versus Pakistan Test series.

Duanne completed the Test series as the leading wicket taker with 24 scalps which included 1 six-wicket haul, 2 five-wicket hauls and 1 four-wicket haul, breaking the previous record of 20 wickets (against Pakistan) set by fellow teammate and fast bowler Dale Steyn.

“We are exceptionally proud of Duanne on achieving this record”, commented Chief Executive of the VKB Knights Johan van Heerden. “We identified Duanne 5 years ago as a matriculant playing for Northerns under 19 at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week. We saw the raw talent and we knew we could work with him”, said Van Heerden. “We approached Mr Paul Harris from Rand Merchant Bank for a sponsorship for the High Performance bowling unit in South Africa and he agreed to sponsor our project”.

In 2012, the Ewie & Hansie Cronje Fast Bowlers Project was launched. The principles of this project were to enrol 3 swing bowlers in a 3-year controlled environment program to maximize their performances to bowl above 140km per hour, and to obtain an academic qualification during this period.

“Duanne Olivier was identified as one of the three seamers and has done exceptionally well. He will also obtain his BA degree in 2 years’ time. I can now, with all sincerity, say the project has been a huge success”, concluded the CEO.
 
Even if Steyn leaves they have a good set of backup bowlers. SA consistently produces fast bowlers since the days of Donald. Guys like him are captain's dream. Not sure his strategy will work against every team. But he was willing to do the hardest job for a bowler. Bowling bouncer after bouncer.
 
"Olivier got a lot of wickets but our dressing room is not a one-man show" : Ottis Gibson

Proteas coach Ottis Gibson was reluctant to single out player of the series Duanne Olivier as the man who made the difference in the 3-0 whitewash over Pakistan and instead credited their success to team effort.

The fast bowler ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with an impressive 24 scalps and he was a constant threat to the Pakistani batsmen who struggled to cope with his consistent pace and bounce.

South Africa beat Pakistan by 107 runs in the third and final Test match at the Wanderers to leapfrog England and New Zealand into second spot on the ICC Test rankings. The defeat saw Pakistan slip one place below Sri Lanka to seventh.

“In this game‚ Quinny (Quinton de Kock) made a brilliant hundred‚ he is a fantastic player for us and if Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said he was the difference then it means he was the difference from their point of view‚” said Gibson after the match.

“From our point of view‚ Olivier got a lot of wickets but our dressing room is not a one-man show.

"You can see by the performances that we had‚ Hash (Hashim Amla) in this game was as much the difference as Quinny because he scored the runs in both innings.

"In the second innings he allowed Quinny to play the way he did to get a hundred.

"Yesterday‚ when Kagiso Rabada and Quinny put a partnership of more than 70 he scored around 20. Those little partnerships are the ones that have put us where we are today to win the series 3-0.”

However‚ Gibson was full of praise for Olivier and admitted that his match-winning performances gives him and the selectors a headache for the coming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

“When I first got here‚ he played against Bangladesh and once everybody is fit‚ how do you fit them all in because we have so many good fast bowlers‚” Gibson said.

Gibson also confirmed that they will have to find an opening to rest Kagiso “KG” Rabada. He added that spinner Keshav Maharaj‚ who did not play in this series‚ is still part of the plans.

“KG says he is bowling at 60 percent‚ but he is bowling at the speed of 145 and I say to him that I am looking forward to the time when you are bowling at 100 percent‚" he said.

"He is taking wickets‚ doing great work for the team and what we have done in the last 12 months is to look for opportunities to rest people. We will find an opportunity to rest him for sure.

“With regards to Keshav‚ he knows that he is still part of the plans and he understands his role and the bigger picture.

"While he did not play against Pakistan‚ he is still part of the series and his turn will come when we go to Durban and Port Elizabeth against Sri Lanka.

"Those are places where spinners get into the game a little bit more and I am sure that his name will come up.”

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/c...-olivier-for-praise-after-pakistan-whitewash/
 
Absolutely amazing bowlers in their line up so Gibson must be proud.
 
MenInG said:
Absolutely amazing bowlers in their line up so Gibson must be proud.
Click to expand...

They have a very talented quick in Ngidi on bench because of injury & they lost a quality pacer in Abott to Kolpak . I still think despite the 3-0 they should list Philander at 7 & play 4 bowlers besides him . A 4 man pace attack is monotonous & a decent spinner like Keshav is good to break the partnerships & essential when you are bowling in the 4th innings . Both Faf & Ottis are ultra defensive . All top Test teams must have 5 good bowling options in my opinion .
 
He's back!!! or basically never went away

So how are Pak batsmen going to cope with him?

Hafeez v Olivier .... :D
 
Fast he is but different situation in ODIs
 
Against Sri Lanka:

7 wickets @ 25.42

Against Pakistan

24 wickets @14.70
 
Another young talented South African cricketer goes down the Kolpak route. With Amla, FAF, etc coming to the ends of their career this guy would have had an excellent opportunity to play for the national side.

http://m.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/player/595739.html


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏏 593 runs<br>📈 74.12 average<br>💯 3 centuries<br>💥 2 half-centuries<br><br>Leus du Plooy bang in form in the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge last month 💪<br><br>He joins up with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCCC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCCC</a> ahead of the <a href="https://twitter.com/OneDayCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OneDayCup</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreDerbyshire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreDerbyshire</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeLeus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeLeus</a> <a href="https://t.co/1FHQ9CBt0i">pic.twitter.com/1FHQ9CBt0i</a></p>— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerbyshireCCC/status/1118601198649712640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Gabbar Singh said:
Another young talented South African cricketer goes down the Kolpak route. With Amla, FAF, etc coming to the ends of their career this guy would have had an excellent opportunity to play for the national side.

http://m.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/player/595739.html


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55356;&#57295; 593 runs<br>&#55357;&#56520; 74.12 average<br>&#55357;&#56495; 3 centuries<br>&#55357;&#56485; 2 half-centuries<br><br>Leus du Plooy bang in form in the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge last month &#55357;&#56490;<br><br>He joins up with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCCC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCCC</a> ahead of the <a href="https://twitter.com/OneDayCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OneDayCup</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreDerbyshire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreDerbyshire</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeLeus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeLeus</a> <a href="https://t.co/1FHQ9CBt0i">pic.twitter.com/1FHQ9CBt0i</a></p>— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerbyshireCCC/status/1118601198649712640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

Only a year and a couple of months, so he could technically come back right?
 
Fast bowler Duanne Olivier has made himself available to play for the Proteas again and has confirmed that the national selectors have made contact with him.

Olivier played the last of his 10 Tests against Sri Lanka in 2019 before signing a Kolpak deal with English county side Yorkshire.

While that contract meant he could not be picked for the Proteas, the 29-year-old also expressed an interest in playing international cricket for England at the time.

Things have changed now though, with Kolpak deals no longer valid following the UK's decision to leave the European Union, and Olivier is back playing domestic cricket in South Africa and has started the season in red-hot form.

The paceman is the leading wicket-taker in the 4-Day Series, having already taken 28 wickets in four matches for the table-topping Lions.

With a marquee Test series against India set to start next month, Olivier revealed Proteas convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang has already had a chat to him about his availability for the national side.

Olivier could join Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in the Proteas pace attack for the India Tests, especially since Lungi Ngidi has not had any match practice in the recent past after missing the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka for personal reasons, not playing during the T20 World Cup and then contracting Covid-19 on his return home.
 
Olivier, Rabada and Nortje is a fearsome bowling attack. South Africa will really benefit from his return.
 
South Africa's pace attack can get better now that Olivier has decided to be back.

Good news for them. Olivier is a good bowler.
 
So back now and will probably play against India.

==

South Africa Pacer Duanne Names India Batter Who Will Be "Tough" To Bowl At In Test Series

Duanne Oliver is ready for a battle against none other than Virat Kohli in the three-match India vs South Africa Test series.

Duanne Oliver had actually framed his Test cap with no hopes of a national comeback but after a surprise recall to the South Africa squad, the right-arm seamer is ready for a battle against none other than Virat Kohli. The 29-year-old Oliver, who made his debut in 2017, had 48 wickets from 10 Test matches before he decided on taking the KOLPAK route (which allows overseas players to play county cricket in UK as it was then a part of the European Union) to represent Yorkshire. He harboured hopes of playing for England one day.

However, with Britain exiting European Union, Oliver's hopes were dashed and he was back in his land of birth, playing domestic cricket before being named in the Proteas side for the three Tests against India starting Sunday.
 
Well he's back in South Africa colours and that too, Test cricket. I am looking forward to how he bowls.
 
Fast bowler Duanne Olivier is thrilled about the prospect of representing the Proteas again, nearly three years after his last appearance for South Africa in Test cricket.

The in-form 29-year-old has been reintroduced to the national set-up after returning from a prolonged stint in the United Kingdom – and then impressing in the local domestic set-up during the early part of the 2021/22 season.

Earlier this month, Olivier was named amongst a strong 21-man squad of players for the three- match Freedom Series against India, which starts with the first Betway Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26-30 December.

“It’s a massive honour to be back,” Olivier said of his recall. “It is a surprise for me because I didn’t expect it at all, so I’m really thrilled to be back.

“It’s a big series coming up for everyone at CSA (Cricket South Africa), so for me being back in the squad I’m very happy. Wherever I can contribute to the team, whether it’s on the field or off it, I’m ready to do it and I look forward to it.”

Olivier’s last Test appearance for South Africa was in Gqeberha against Sri Lanka in February of 2019. He has since returned with a bang to the CSA Four-Day Domestic Series, ending this year as the leading wicket taker, eight scalps clear of number two, Simon Harmer.

The Imperial Lions paceman has claimed 28 wickets in eight innings at an average of 11.14 with best innings bowling figures of 5/53.

He has been preparing with the rest of the squad in a bio-secure environment (BSE) – conditions forced upon them due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic – since the weekend.

Olivier continued: “I haven’t been here for three years, so it’s been a long time. But it’s always special for any person to play for your country. It is very special to me and it will be special for anyone coming into the team.

“I don’t think it will be like my debut all over again, this will be completely different I feel. I am generally a nervous person so I expect some nerves. So the feelings will be different. It will be interesting to see what the nerves will be like, but I’m sure if I am selected to play then my nerves will be shot through the roof.”

The Groblersdal-born player, who has claim 48 wickets in 10 Tests thus far, believes he has evolved a lot as a player since he last played for the Proteas.

“I feel like I’m a different player now, I’m a bit older…a bit more grown up,” he chuckled. “From a cricket perspective, I do feel I’m a bit different as well.

“The UK has helped me a lot with just perfecting that fuller length that every bowler wants to bowl. For me it was quite difficult because it could come across as floaty and not being as consistent. “I’m still working on it and won’t get it right every single time, but I’ve played three years in the UK and it’s helped me immensely just the way I approach my game. Previously people saw me as a bowler who only bowled short, but now I feel I have an extra element to my game.”

Olivier is also looking forward to facing one of the best teams in the world, adding: “It will probably be the biggest series I will play.

“India are not the number one team for no reason. They haven’t won here, so they’ll want to come here and want to win. For us, we don’t want that to happen.

“If selected then there will be those pressures that with playing against world-class players, but at the same time it’s a really exciting challenge.

“If I think right now of the opportunity to bowl to (Virat) Kohli, it will be tough, but it’s really exciting at the same time thinking that I will be bowling to probably the top four batters in the world.

“It’s like making a statement to them, letting them know that we’re here to compete and challenge them. It’s very exciting.”

https://cricket.co.za/2021/12/23/olivier-excited-about-surprise-second-coming/
 
I think he is bit hyped as of now. He is decent but will have average series for all the hype i have been hearing about him from last few weeks. Let's see...
 
Sam99 said:
I think he is bit hyped as of now. He is decent but will have average series for all the hype i have been hearing about him from last few weeks. Let's see...
Click to expand...

He has 48 wickets in only 10 tests @19 with 3 5-fers and a 10-fer. I am happy to hype him up until he proves me wrong. His short ball will be a weapon.
 
Corridor of Uncertainty said:
He has 48 wickets in only 10 tests @19 with 3 5-fers and a 10-fer. I am happy to hype him up until he proves me wrong. His short ball will be a weapon.
Click to expand...

He has played 8 matches in SA & 2 in Eng. Performed against weak teams at home. India will be huge challenge for him. I don't think he would have played if nortje was available.
 
Sam99 said:
He has played 8 matches in SA & 2 in Eng. Performed against weak teams at home. India will be huge challenge for him. I don't think he would have played if nortje was available.
Click to expand...

Many players have played weak teams at home and not delivered these numbers - including those, more experienced, who played alongside him.
 
Is not even playing today. If nortje was fit i doubt he would have gotten chance to play in series but might play one match now that nortje is injured.
 
https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/it-was-like-a-new-debut-olivier/article38103609.ece

For Duanne Olivier, it was a case of living a dream again.

The comeback paceman said, ““It was like a new debut. I was very nervous today.”

The man who had given up hopes of playing for the country again, scalped three on day one of the second Test here on Monday.

About the gameplan of the South African bowlers, Olivier said, “We made them play as much as possible. Stuck to the process, stuck to the basics and reaped the rewards. We also bowled a fuller length.”

Asked to look ahead in the series, Olivier replied, “We are 1-0 down. That’s the reality. The focus is on this Test. Tomorrow is a new day. If we bat big, we can win the Test. Of course, we want to win the series but don’t want to think too far ahead.”

He said, “If someone had told us that we would bowl out India for just over 200, we would have taken it any day.”

Asked about the pitch, he replied, “It’s a typical Wanderers pitch. Has some grass on it.”

Olivier conceded that the first hour was tough when openers K.L. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal were unseparated, but said “Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen came on, they bowled very well and created the pressure for us to take wickets.”

The paceman said, “Ngidi went wicketless today after bowling so well. On some other days, he might not bowl so well and pick up wickets.”

About left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj’s inclusion in the team ahead of a specialist batter on a seamer-friendly pitch, Olivier said, “Keshav might have bowled only one over today but he could send down 20 in the second innings. The wicket could deteriorate and we might need a spinner.”
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cricket Warrior
[EXCLUSIVE] “It is a massive moment for South African cricket": Vernon Philander
Replies
9
Views
917
The Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle
Ball Blazer
South African ambassador found dead outside Paris high-rise hotel
Replies
4
Views
127
Bewal Express
B
Ball Blazer
South Africa tour of England (2025) - (3 ODIs and 3 T20Is)
2 3 4
Replies
291
Views
3K
sweep_shot
sweep_shot
T
Why is Malcolm Marshall considered a GOAT despite average performance in ODI cricket?
Replies
74
Views
1K
rpant_gabba
rpant_gabba
Ball Blazer
"Beating a world Test champion side is always considered a huge achievement": Shan Masood
Replies
5
Views
317
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
Back
Top