Duanne Olivier's second coming all about the team and nothing about the past

[vvvslaxman]

https://www.news24.com/sport/cricket/proteas/duanne-oliviers-second-coming-all-about-the-team-and-nothing-about-the-past-20211223

 

• Proteas pacer Duanne Olivier doesn't want to be shredded by nerves ahead of what looks to be his second coming for the men's Test side.
• Olivier has represented the Proteas in 10 Tests, but left under controversial circumstances.
• The 29-year-old wants to start afresh and leave the past where it belongs: In the past.

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Duanne Olivier's second coming at the Proteas has been a controversial one, but it is something the pacer isn't putting at the forefront of his thoughts.

With Anrich Nortje out with a hip injury, the selection headache convenor Phenyo Mpitsang, head coach Mark Boucher and director of cricket Mark Boucher would have had to deal with has died down significantly.

 

Sunday's first Test against India at SuperSport Park could be Olivier's first since his February 2019 against Sri Lanka where SA's eight-wicket loss saw the islanders become the first Asian side to win a Test series in South Africa.

The 29-year-old Olivier, whose Kolpak-exit that year remains a talking point, said he's a different person now and doesn't worry about the past.

 

"The pressure and expectations are also very high, but whatever I achieved three years ago, it is in the past," Olivier said.

"I try not to look at the past. I am a different person in a different squad that has different management.

"Everything is different, so you try to focus on what you want to do now and what you want to achieve.

"We have three Tests coming up and they're massive. All my focus is on them."

Olivier goes into the series with 28 sticks at 11.14, a statistic that should imbue him with confidence.

Olivier though said things are rather different for him from a mental perspective.

 

"I won't say debut all over again, but I think it will be different," Olivier said.

"I am nervous whenever it comes to playing any game. If it's my first over, I am very nervous, so it will be a different feeling.

"If I'm selected to play, I think my nerves will be shot through the roof."

At the end of the day, Olivier respects the occasion of representing the national team, something he's done 10 times in red-ball cricket.

He understood that plenty has changed since Ottis Gibson's bouncer-fuelled era that worked in patches.

The Boucher era, with its off-the-field troubles, hasn't quite established its signature brand of cricket, but that also has to do with a lack of action.

"I haven't been here for three years, so it's been a long time," Olivier said.

 

"It is special for any person to play for their country and it will be special for any person who comes into the squad.

"At the end of the day, I just try to keep things as simple as possible and not look too far ahead and focus on the now."

[AKane]

Indian batsmen need to study and watch out for this fellow. He has potential to be more effective than Rabada.

 

Even with Nortje out, an attack of Rabada, Olivier, Ngidi/Jansen, Mulder, Maharaj will be a handful and more.

[Vijy]

20 hours ago, AKane said:

Indian batsmen need to study and watch out for this fellow. He has potential to be more effective than Rabada.

 

Even with Nortje out, an attack of Rabada, Olivier, Ngidi/Jansen, Mulder, Maharaj will be a handful and more.

and stuurman too if he gets a chance.