So, who is the Proteas’ new debutant, Duanne Olivier? Here are a few facts and figures about the man called up to replace Kyle Abbott.
Olivier is a Knights right-arm fast bowler. The 24-year-old has been in the system for some time now, making the SA U19 side (2010) which housed names such as Keaton Jennings and Quinton de Kock, both of whom have made their name on the international stage (with Jennings recently making his debut for England against India).
Olivier’s recent performances in the Sunfoil Series has highlighted him as one of South Africa’s top domestic talents and he was recently rewarded for his performances by being selected for the SA invitational side to play Sri Lanka in a warm-up match before their series against the Proteas. Olivier impressed ending with a spell of 4-54 in a drawn match at Senwes Park.
He continues to dominate in the Sunfoil Series where he leads the bowling attack for the Knights and sits comfortably on the top of the standings for most wickets taken in this year’s competition.
His performances were rewarded when Proteas coach Russell Domingo announced that the young speedster would replace Abbott, who made headlines by announcing he would be leaving the Proteas for Hampshire where he signed a Kolpak deal.
‘Duanne Olivier has got some good numbers and some really good performances for the SA ‘A’ side. I’m excited to see what he offers,’ said Domingo.
‘When one guy goes, it provides an opportunity for someone else to step in. We’ve got to look at the future and move on with young guys who we feel can do the business. We’re very confident with what we’ve seen from a young guy like Duanne.’
Olivier bagged the Sunfoil Series Sizzler award for the first five rounds of the Sunfoil Series (2016/17) where he has been the leading wicket-taker with 28 dismissals including 3 five-wicket hauls with a strike rate of 40.5 and an average of 21.60.
Olivier will make his debut in the final Test against Sri Lanka which starts on 12 January in Johannesburg.
Sunfoil Series career:
| SEASON | MATCHES | WICKETS | AVERAGE | 5 | 10 |
| 2014/15 | 5 | 11 | 45.09 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015/16 | 7 | 41 | 16.07 | 3 | 0 |
| 2016/17 | 5 | 28 | 21.60 | 3 | 0 |
See Olivier in action here
PHOTO: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
