'Felt like a debut' - Duanne Olivier reveals emotions on his return to international cricket

After an enthralling day one’s play between India and South Africa, the hosts emerged front runners to win the Wanderers Test as they have dismissed India for just 202. One of the key architects of the bowling plans for Proteas was Duanne Olivier who returned with figures of 3 for 64 in his 17 over spell. Olivier, who has missed five years of international cricket after signing a Kolpak deal, might have lost his pace a bit but is definitely getting into his groove.

The right-arm seamer accounted for the downfall of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane on successive deliveries to leave India in the backseat. He also picked up Shardul Thakur before the evening session and his extra bounce off the pitch was something India will have to look after. Olivier missed the first Test with a hamstring niggle but he is making up for it when the home side needed him the most.

Olivier revealed the emotions he had in his comeback game for South Africa in the video interview session on day one.

For me, it’s just trying to have good energies on the ball: Duanne Olivier

Olivier noted that he was nervous like a debutant in international cricket and reckoned of the energy level remaining high. He mentioned the desire to put up a good show especially after the first Test loss and added about the plan being to make the batter play. South Africa did bowl a lot of deliveries that could be left alone in the first Test and it impacted their result.

“To be honest, it felt like a debut and I was very nervous today. For me it’s just trying to have good energies on the ball and to put the team in the best position. I had certain patches that were good and certain that wasn’t that good but there are the second innings still to come and it is there that I will look to do things better. The message was simple: try and make them play more. So we have improved and we want to improve more,” Olivier added in the video interview session as quoted by India Today.