Yorkshire seamer Duanne Olivier returning to South Africa in preparation for next county season

The 28-year-old aims to play domestic cricket back in his homeland this winter in an effort to be up to speed for the new campaign

• Olivier targets England cap
• Coad hails Olivier partnership

Yorkshire's Duanne Olivier will use a spell of domestic cricket back in South Africa to prepare fully for the next county season.

The 28-year-old was in lockdown in his homeland and forced to quarantine upon his return to England, meaning he was absent for the Bob Willis Trophy opener against Durham.

In his final year as a designated Kolpak player before assuming overseas status, Olivier featured in the final four games of the campaign, taking 10 wickets at 36.40, and played three times in the T20 Blast (five wickets at 14.60).

He abandoned a fledgeling Test career to move to Headingley in 2019 but is preparing to resume his career in South Africa with the aim of being 100 per cent for the 2021 county campaign.

"To be honest, I learned a lot from last year," said Olivier, according to the Yorkshire Post.

"I was pleased with my performance this season overall, and I just tried to keep things as simple as possible, whereas last year I got into a bit of a panic.

"Although lockdown in South Africa was quite strict, and it would have been ideal if I’d had a bit more preparation, I felt more relaxed this year and just tried to keep things as simple as possible.

"It’s getting there – it’s a work in progress – and I’m now going to try and play domestic cricket back home as preparation for the next English season."

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