Duanne Olivier may have taken 24 wickets in the recent three-match Test series against Pakistan, but the Proteas pace ace insists he can improve.
The powerful Knights speedster was aggressive in his approach, hitting the deck hard and short to complement his more skilful teammates.
But the Man of the Series says he needs to vary his lengths from time to time.
The 26-year-old says: “When I pitch the ball up, I feel it’s a little bit "floaty.’’
“[I surprised myself] quite a bit, to be honest. I do like to bowl short, and to do it for three Tests, I’m very proud, I’m very happy that my body allowed me to do that.”
STALWART: Vernon Philander. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
It’s worth remembering Olivier wouldn’t have started that first Test had Vernon Philander been fit or for that matter Lungi Ngidi.
It does beg the question: what does the future hold for him?
Proteas coach Ottis Gibson, for now, is putting the problem aside, saying after the third Test that it was nice for the selectors to have so many options, not just in terms of personnel but also how it allows the team to implement different strategies.
What of a World Cup call-up perhaps?
He says: I’m not thinking that far ahead I take it day by day. I’m going back to my franchise and see what happens there and just contribute towards the team, that’s the most important thing.”
There has been the talk of a Kolpak contract - a possible county deal with Yorkshire got airtime in the British press last year.