South African pacer Duanne Olivier has said he is “open” to a return to international cricket and has left the onus on the selectors if they are looking to select him for the summer ahead, including a marquee all-format series with India.
Olivier is one of multiple Proteas cricketers who have made their comeback to domestic cricket at home following the end of the Kolpak system in England in 2020.
Since returning to base, the 29-year-old has been in tremendous form for the Lions, taking 28 wickets from his four first-class games in the 4-Day Franchise Series 2021-22. He is at the top of the wickets chart for the competition at this stage, with an average of 11.14 and two five-wicket hauls.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, the right-arm quick confirmed that he has been in contact with Cricket South Africa and national selectors and has put forward his willingness to make an international comeback. Having said that, he is not looking too far ahead and is focused on doing well for the Lions.
“I am open to everything but I am trying to think of the present and not the future at the moment. Victor Mpitsang (convener of selectors) phoned me and asked me if I was open to playing for South Africa again and I said of course I am. It’s up to the selectors if they want to include me.”
he said.
Olivier took a bagful of 48 wickets from his 10 Tests for South Africa before putting a premature halt in his international career and signing a Kolpak deal with Yorkshire English County Club in the UK in early 2019.
The then 25-year-old had made a spectacular start to his Test career but opted to ply his trade for Yorkshire, becoming one of many white South African Kolpak stars who cut short their international careers to secure more fulfilling and sustaining county deals, especially as the government back home imposed strict racial quota policy.
But with Brexit in the UK, the Kolpak system, which allowed players belonging to countries with a deal with the European Union to be counted as locals and county sides to field extra overseas players, came to an end and paved the way for multiple South African stars to return to playing domestic cricket at home.
