Duanne Olivier

Duanne Olivier, born on May 9, 1992, is a South African cricketer known for his right-arm fast-medium bowling. He represents both the South African national team and the Knights in domestic cricket. In February 2019, Olivier signed a Kolpak deal with Yorkshire County Cricket Club in England, which prohibited him from playing for South Africa during his contract. After joining Yorkshire, he expressed a desire to eventually represent the England cricket team. Following the end of his Kolpak contract in 2021 due to Brexit, he transitioned to an overseas player for Yorkshire. Subsequently, he was selected for South Africa's Test squad for their series against India, marking his return to international cricket.

Duanne Olivier Along the year

Duanne Olivier Career

Bloemfontein-born Duanne Olivier is a gifted bowler who developed his game on the same pitches that developed the great Allan Donald. Olivier, who is well-known for his ability to control games and take wickets, has also demonstrated a talent for reverse swing. At the close of the 2010–11 season, he made his Free State first-class debut at the age of 19. In 2011, he played for South Africa's under-19 team in an ODI series held in England. He needed three years to adjust from playing cricket in the provinces to the franchise system. After joining the Knights in the 2014–15 season, Olivier was in charge of their bowling assault by the 2016–17 campaign.

He traveled with the South African A team to Zimbabwe and Australia in the winter of 2016, when he distinguished himself as the team's top bowler. With impressive first-class wicket totals of 4 for 54, Olivier's performance in 2015–16 earned him a position in the South African Invitation XI against Sri Lanka. After Kyle Abbott was forced to withdraw due to a Kolpak deal, he was added to South Africa's team for the third Test match against Sri Lanka in January 2017 as a result of his steady performances. By now, Olivier had amassed an incredible average of 21.38 from 224 first-class wickets, demonstrating his potential to become a future star in South African cricket.

Duanne Olivier Domestic Career

Olivier had an impressive 2016–17 season in the Sunfoil Series, taking home the title with a remarkable 52 wickets. His outstanding performance earned him the First-class Cricketer of the Season award at Cricket South Africa's annual ceremony in May 2017. Later that year, he signed with the Johannesburg Giants for the inaugural T20 Global competition, though the event was ultimately canceled.

In October 2018, playing for the Jozi Stars in the Mzansi Super League T20, Olivier continued to shine, capturing an impressive 27 wickets in just six matches. His exceptional bowling helped the Knights secure victory in the 2018–19 CSA 4-Day Franchise Series.

A major milestone in his career came in March 2019 when he achieved his 400th first-class wicket during a match against Leeds/Bradford MCCU. He returned to the Jozi Stars for the Mzansi Super League in September 2019, showcasing his talent. In October 2020, the Jaffna Stallions recognized his skills and selected him in the first round of the Lanka Premier League. Olivier's cricket journey advanced further when he was named to Gauteng's squad for the South African cricket season of 2021–2022, solidifying his reputation as a gifted player in the sport.

Duanne Olivier Franchise Career

Olivier started his franchise career in Mzansi Super League in 2018 where he played for Joji Stars and became the highest wicket-taker of the tournament by taking 20 wickets in 9 innings of 10 matches and played an important role in making his team the winner of the tournament.

The next year, Duanne took only 7 wickets in five matches.

Due to the Kolpak deal, Duanne participated for the last time in the Mzansi Super League of 2019-20, he has taken 27 wickets in 15 MSL matches so far.

In 2019, Duanne made his debut for Yorkshire in the Vitality Blast to be held in England. In his first season, he took 6 wickets in five matches, and in the 2020 season, he has taken 11 wickets in eight matches so far with five wickets in three matches. He made his Lanka Premier League debut in 2020–21, playing for Jaffna Stallions, taking 10 wickets in 9 matches.

Duanne International Career

In January 2017, Duanne Olivier was called up to the South African cricket team's Test squad for a scheduled match against Sri Lanka. Olivier took over for Kyle Abbott, who had left the national team to play for Hampshire as a Kolpak player. On January 12, 2017, Olivier made his Test debut, and he soon established himself. He took five wickets in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at Centurion Park in December 2018, but his most memorable performance came in the second innings. He took an outstanding 24 wickets during the three-Test series, winning him the Player of the Series title for his outstanding play.

Olivier was a member of South Africa's squad for the first two One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Pakistan after his performance in Test cricket. On January 19, 2019, he made his ODI debut, which was another significant event in his rapidly developing cricket career. His quick rise demonstrates his bowling prowess and suggests a bright future for the limited-overs and Test formats. Olivier has so far participated in 16 Test matches, claiming 59 wickets at an average of 24.27, including a career-best 6 for 37. He has played in two ODI matches and taken three wickets at an average of 41.33, with a high of two for 73. With 494 points, he now holds the 39th position in the ICC Test bowling rankings, demonstrating his potential for more success on the global scene.

Duanne Olivier Test Career

Duanne Olivier started his Test career on 12 January 2017 against Sri Lanka. In his first match, Duanne took two wickets in the first innings and three wickets in the second innings and made a century in his Test career.

Duanne performed brilliantly in the three-Test series played against Pakistan in 2018, taking 24 wickets. He took the first 10-wicket haul of his Test career by taking 6 wickets in the first innings and 5 wickets in the second innings of the first Test match played on 26 December 2018. After this, he got the best of his bowling in the entire series and once again he took a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the third Test match.

Olivier has taken a total of 59 wickets in 29 innings of 16 Test matches played so far, with the help of 35 wickets and one 10-wicket haul, in which his economy has been 3.75.

Duanne Olivier ODI Career

Duanne Olivier made his ODI debut on 19 January 2019 against Pakistan where he took two wickets while bowling in his first match and took one wicket in the second match of this series and the last match of his ODI career.

Oliver has played only two matches in his ODI career so far in which he has taken three wickets at an economy of 6.53.

Duanne Olivier Kolpak Deal

Duanne Olivier, the South African fast bowler, has been in remarkable form, taking 31 wickets in his last five Tests, including 11 against Pakistan in December. At just 26, he has made a name for himself, breaking into the top 20 of the Test rankings and making his one-day international debut. However, he recently announced his decision to pause his international career to sign a lucrative three-year deal with Yorkshire, using the Kolpak ruling, which allows players from countries with a free trade agreement with the EU to play as locals in county cricket.

Olivier’s move was primarily driven by financial considerations. His potential earnings at Yorkshire, reportedly up to £150,000 per season, far exceed what he would make as a centrally contracted South African player, whose income would be about a third of that amount with no guarantees of selection. Olivier explained on Instagram that as a professional cricketer, he needed to consider all options to maximize his opportunities, acknowledging the short lifespan of a sports career.

Yorkshire, needing to strengthen their bowling lineup after losing key players, views Olivier’s signing as a promising start to a fruitful collaboration. He is among several overseas players who have chosen the financial security of county cricket over international commitments. Olivier's departure has stirred mixed reactions, especially as he had just begun to establish himself in the Proteas team, raising concerns about the future of South African cricket. Cricket South Africa's chief executive highlighted the negative implications of such decisions for the global game, indicating a broader issue regarding the disparity in cricket's financial landscape.