South African pacer Duane Olivier, who played his first match for South Africa in almost three years after his forced return from England, said playing the second Test vs India felt like a “first game”.
The 29-year-old, who signed a Kolpak deal with Yorkshire in 2019 but only to return to the South African domestic circuit this season, returned with 3/64 as India were bowled out for 202 in 63.1 overs on the first day of the second Test. done. ,
“To be honest, when I played today I thought it was a new debut. You can say I was very nervous today,” Olivier said in a media interaction after the day’s proceedings.
India vs South Africa: full coverage , photos , the schedule , result
Olivier opened his account with the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara and then entered his 50-wicket haul in Test cricket by dismissing struggling Ajinkya Rahane for a golden duck off the very next ball.
“For me, it’s just trying to put good energy on the ball, put the team in the best shape possible. So we can make life easier for the batsmen.”
At the top of the world in 2019, Olivier signed a Kolpak deal with Yorkshire and later expressed his ambition to try and qualify for England.
Olivier played three seasons in England but was no longer a Kolpak player with flaws at the end of 2020 in the wake of Brexit.
Read also | Indian bowlers’ responsibility after batsmen lost after disciplined South African attack
He has been the leading wicket-taker in South Africa’s domestic first-class competition this season with 28 wickets at an average of under 12.
But the solidly built pacer was ruled out of the first Test at Centurion due to the effects of COVID-19 and hamstring problems.
Lungi Nigdi supported him but bowled only 11 overs without any wicket.
“I don’t know why he bowled only 11 overs. I can’t tell you that but I think he was very unlucky, he was bowling exceptionally well.
“It is one of those days when you don’t get rewarded for bowling well. There is still second innings left, maybe he will get the reward then.”
Read also | IND vs SA: Ravichandran Ashwin Confident India ‘Can Still Make a Match Out’ in 2nd Test Match at 202 Runs
Asked about the change in his bowling unit from the first Test, he said: “If you look at the first Test as a bowling unit on day one, I don’t think we can be proud of that. If you want to be hypercritical, we probably gave too many 20-30 runs.
“The message was simple, just try to play them more and stick to the plan, stick to the process that makes us successful as a bowling unit.
“At the end of the day it is easy to say that we did not bowl well in the first Test. It was our first Test after a long time but no excuse. We have improved, we want to improve more. We don’t settle for anything,” he concluded.
,