Duane Olivier made his Test debut for **South Africa** in January 2017 against Sri Lanka. He quickly gained attention for his ability to generate pace and bounce, troubling top-order batsmen with his aggression and consistency in the longer format of the game.
Olivier enjoyed a successful Test career, particularly in the 2018-19 home series against Pakistan, where he took 24 wickets in just three matches. His ability to exploit seam-friendly conditions made him one of South Africa’s most dangerous fast bowlers, and he was named the Player of the Series. During his initial Test stint, he had a phenomenal strike rate, becoming a key part of South Africa's bowling attack.
In 2019, Olivier made the decision to sign a Kolpak deal with Yorkshire in England, effectively pausing his international career. This move sparked debate as he was in excellent form for South Africa. While playing for Yorkshire, he continued to perform exceptionally well in English county cricket, taking wickets consistently and developing his skills further.
Following the end of the Kolpak system due to Brexit, Olivier returned to South Africa and made a comeback to the national team in 2021. He was recalled to the Test squad for the 2021-22 series against India, making a strong return to international cricket with his sharp pace and wicket-taking ability.
Olivier is known for his aggressive fast bowling, often generating steep bounce
and bowling at high speeds. His ability to bowl long, testing spells has made him particularly effective in Test cricket. With the bat, he is a tail-end contributor, focusing primarily on his role as a strike bowler.
Olivier’s return to South African cricket after his stint in county cricket has bolstered the national team’s pace attack. He remains a vital option in the Test format and could continue to play an important role in South Africa’s bowling line-up, especially in seam-friendly conditions.
Duane Olivier's experience in both international cricket and English county cricket has solidified his reputation as a reliable and threatening fast bowler.