Centurion 27 December : .Many eyebrows were raised about the absence of pacer Duanne Olivier from the playing eleven in the wake of South Africa’s poor bowling performance at Sunday’s Test match against India.According to Cricket South Africa’s selection coordinator Victor Mpitsang Olivier has been ruled out from playing 11 due to the Covid-19 virus side effects and a hamstring niggle.
ESPNCricinfo quoted Mpitsang as saying Monday, Day 2 of the Test, “Duanne Olivier, although healthy, did report a positive Covid-19 result.He also had to quarantine.”
Mpitsang did not respond to journalists’ questions on Sunday, the first day of match.Olivier was chosen to replace Anrich Nortje who had suffered an injury and would have been able to take a pivotal role in the match against India.
Olivier was the top wicket-taker during the four-day domestic competition, taking 28 wickets in an average 11.10 innings in four matches first-class for the Lions.
He did not get the Covid-19 infection while away from his family.
His workloads weren’t as high by the time he got to the team bubble before the Test match.Mpitsang said that he had a minor injury to his hamstring during an intra-squad match.
The selectors didn’t want to put him at risk when they have two Test matches.
Olivier was a South African cricketer who took 48 wickets over ten Tests.
He had previously signed a Kolpak agreement with Yorkshire in England, which prevented him from playing international cricket.Olivier was made available to South Africa after Brexit ended the Kolpak system.
Marco Jansen, a 21-year old left-arm pace player and all-rounder, was made his Test debut in his absence.Jansen gave up 61 runs over 17 innings as India scored 272/3 at stumps.
Marco Jansen, statistically speaking, was the best performer against India A on their recent trip to South Africa.The selectors supported him to play for the senior India team.
Each player selected to this Proteas Team is considered capable of performing at the highest level and has received support.Mpitsang stated that the absence of one player doesn’t diminish the value and quality of the other players in the team.
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