Duanne Olivier is the most recent player to leave the Proteas ‘for opportunities.’
The Proteas’ test match squad in December was comprised of stars, but it also featured a novice right-arm fast bowler, Duanne Olivier. At the time of the selection, Proteas’ medium-paced bowler, Vernon Philander, was facing a late test, which left the coach looking for an alternative–and Olivier was it.
Duanne Olivier (photo, SA Breaking News)
Even though the newcomer played with the country’s top bowlers–Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj, among them–it was Olivier, not them, who was the center of attention.
It was a juicy storyline, too. Philander, you see, wasn’t going to miss a Newlands test, so at issue was who should make way for him. And after Olivier’s impressive performance, it wasn’t going to be him–not after snatching 31 wickets after five tests.
But now this story has taken an interesting, and unexpected, turn. Earlier this week, Olivier announced that he had signed a three-year deal with Yorkshire. He will now forego an international career.
Olivier’s departure means the Proteas’ quest of reclaiming the #1 Test Cricket spot has been delayed once again.
Olivier isn’t the first player to throw a departure curve to the Proteas. Rylee Rossouw left after 2016. Kyle Abbott left twice, most recently in 2017.
Olivier put his decision in perspective: “My decision might be difficult for some to understand, but being a professional cricket player is a short-lived career, and in order for me to make the most of all my opportunities, I had to consider all my options,” he said.
While ‘to each his own’ needs to be honored, let’s also remember that Olivier was accorded ‘opportunities’ with the Proteas. So what does a player need from Cricket South Africa?
