The reasons for Duanne Olivier’s surprise omission from the Proteas XI to face India in Centurion have been revealed.

Olivier was expected to make a much-anticipated Test return having last played for the Proteas in February 2019.

However, 21-year-old Marco Jansen was instead given a Test debut while the selectors backed Lungi Ngidi, who took all three Indian wickets to fall on day one.

According to Netwerk24 cricket writer Tinus van Staden, Olivier tested positive for Covid-19 a few weeks ago but tested negative shortly before joining his Proteas teammates in their bio-bubble in Gauteng.

When Olivier was left out of the team on Sunday, a Proteas spokesperson said “everyone is fit and available to be selected”.

Yet, in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo on Monday, Proteas selection convener Victor Mpitsang said Olivier had a hamstring niggle.

“Duanne Olivier is healthy and well but did return a positive Covid-19 test result a number of weeks ago, which forced him to quarantine and took time away from his training,” Mpitsang told the website. “His workloads were not where the selection panel would have wanted them to be by the time he entered the team bubble ahead of the first Test match.

“He picked up a hamstring niggle during the two-day, inter-squad match at the start of the camp and the selectors did not want to risk him unnecessarily when there are two more Test matches to think about,” Mpitsang added.

The start of the second day’s play in Centurion on Monday was delayed due to rain.