South Africa bowler Olivier puts international career on hold to sign three-year deal with Yorkshire

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Yorkshire have signed South Africa fast bowler Duanne Olivier on a three-year Kolpak contract.

Olivier, 26, played for Derbyshire in 2018, and is one of the world’s most in-form pacemen, having taken 31 wickets in five Tests since being recalled by South Africa in December.

His overall total of 48 wickets in 10 Tests has lifted him into the top 20 bowlers in the ICC Test match rankings.

He also took 31 wickets in seven Championship games for Derbyshire.

The terms of the Kolpak deal mean that he will not be able to play for South Africa again until his contract with Yorkshire expires.

After taking 24 wickets in South Africa’s three home Tests against Pakistan, to be named player of the series, he then claimed seven more scalps in two Tests against Sri Lanka.

“I would be lying if I said this wasn’t a difficult decision to make,” he said. “It’s giving up playing for my country with no guarantees of playing international cricket again.