South African fast bowler Duanne Olivier will likely be afforded the opportunity to convert a fine stretch of form in T20 and Test cricket into success in ODI competition this month.

Olivier has been named as a replacement for the rested Dale Steyn in the Proteas’ squad for the first two of a five-ODI series against Pakistan.

The lanky right-armer clinched a prolific two dozen wickets in the recent Test series against the same opposition. Prior to this, he was the leading wicket-taker in the Mzansi Super League. He, indeed, took 20 in 10 matches for the Jozi Stars in the inaugural T20 competition in South Africa.

‘I am not thinking too far ahead, I am taking it day by day. I am going back to my franchise to see what happens there and try to contribute to my team,’ he said after the Test series, before his ODI inclusion.

‘It is satisfying because if you look at the first Test, Vernon Philander was injured, so I got the opportunity, and for me was to make use of the opportunity. I played in the Mzansi Super League, where I did reasonably well, and I also did well during the four-day preparations.

‘If I look back at my previous Test match, I was still young and inexperienced and I was exposed at times. I was looking too far ahead and not concentrating on taking it ball by ball, but this series I committed to every ball.’

The first ODI will be played at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Photo: Gallo