Fast bowler Duanne Olivier is likely to return to South Africa's line-up when the host team faces visitors India in the opening of a three-match Test series at Centurion Park beginning on Sunday in the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

Olivier will reinforce a home seam attack that is missing injured Anrich Nortje and will play his first Test since 2019, after he chose county cricket in England over South Africa, despite substantial success in the five-day format.

Olivier stormed into the Test scene four years ago, taking 48 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of less than 20, but then signed a Kolpak deal with English county Yorkshire, thereby halting his South African cricket career.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/this-is-a-quality-indian-team-allan-donald-recalls-virat-kohlis-words-from-2018-ahead-of-centurion-test-439348">This is a quality Indian team: Allan Donald recalls Virat Kohli's words from 2018 ahead of Centurion Test</a>

The series is set to be a war of pace attacks on lively wickets, particularly in the first two tests on the Highveld, and Olivier's comeback is therefore apt.

After coming home when the Kolpak system was dismantled as a result of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, Olivier displayed exceptional form and finished the local four-day championship as the leading wicket-taker.

"I want our best opportunity to win matches and series, and in order for that to happen, you need to make tough calls, for instance bringing people back,"&nbsp;South Africa captain Dean Elgar told reporters when asked if Olivier should be allowed to return.

"I was very keen to have him back, I’m happy and excited knowing what he can do on the field. There's no bad feelings about what's happened in the past."&nbsp;

South Africa has often&nbsp;relied on fast bowlers on hot home pitches to win, but they are also aware that India has built a powerful pace attack that has earned them international success in recent years.

"India has been an immensely improved bowling lineup, especially playing away from home. We`re very mindful of what we`re going to be up against," Elgar said.

India have maintained a low profile in their bio-secure bubble in Johannesburg since their arrival, but batsman Cheteshwar Pujara feels this is their greatest opportunity ever to win a Test series in South Africa.

ALSO READ:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/seamers-are-our-strength-they-give-india-hope-of-first-series-win-in-south-africa-says-cheteshwar-pujara-438022">&nbsp;Seamers are our strength, they give India hope of first series win in South Africa, says Cheteshwar Pujara</a>

"Our fast bowlers have been the difference between the sides overall when we have played abroad. If you look at the Australia and England series, we have done exceptionally well as a bowling unit," Pujara stated on the website of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"Our fast bowlers are our strength (in South Africa) and I hope they can utilise the conditions and give us 20 wickets in each test match."

India just concluded a home series triumph over New Zealand, while South Africa has not played Test cricket since a series victory in the West Indies in June.

Fast bowler Duanne Olivier is likely to return to South Africa's line-up when the host team faces visitors India in the opening of a three-match Test series at Centurion Park beginning on Sunday in the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

Fast bowler Duanne Olivier is likely to return to South Africa's line-up when the host team faces visitors India in the opening of a three-match Test series at Centurion Park beginning on Sunday in the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. Olivier will reinforce a home seam attack that is missing injured Anrich Nortje and will play his first Test since 2019, after he chose county cricket in England over South Africa, despite substantial success in the five-day format. Olivier stormed into the Test scene four years ago, taking 48 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of less than 20, but then signed a Kolpak deal with English county Yorkshire, thereby halting his South African cricket career. ALSO READ: This is a quality Indian team: Allan Donald recalls Virat Kohli's words from 2018 ahead of Centurion Test The series is set to be a war of pace attacks on lively wickets, particularly in the first two tests on the Highveld, and Olivier's comeback is therefore apt. After coming home when the Kolpak system was dismantled as a result of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, Olivier displayed exceptional form and finished the local four-day championship as the leading wicket-taker. "I want our best opportunity to win matches and series, and in order for that to happen, you need to make tough calls, for instance bringing people back," South Africa captain Dean Elgar told reporters when asked if Olivier should be allowed to return. "I was very keen to have him back, I’m happy and excited knowing what he can do on the field. There's no bad feelings about what's happened in the past." South Africa has often relied on fast bowlers on hot home pitches to win, but they are also aware that India has built a powerful pace attack that has earned them international success in recent years. "India has been an immensely improved bowling lineup, especially playing away from home. We`re very mindful of what we`re going to be up against," Elgar said. India have maintained a low profile in their bio-secure bubble in Johannesburg since their arrival, but batsman Cheteshwar Pujara feels this is their greatest opportunity ever to win a Test series in South Africa. ALSO READ: Seamers are our strength, they give India hope of first series win in South Africa, says Cheteshwar Pujara "Our fast bowlers have been the difference between the sides overall when we have played abroad. If you look at the Australia and England series, we have done exceptionally well as a bowling unit," Pujara stated on the website of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. "Our fast bowlers are our strength (in South Africa) and I hope they can utilise the conditions and give us 20 wickets in each test match." India just concluded a home series triumph over New Zealand, while South Africa has not played Test cricket since a series victory in the West Indies in June.

South African captain Dean Elgar rejoices after Duanne Olivier replaces Anrich Nortje for India Tests

Dale Steyn became South Africa's leading test wicket-taker and Duanne Olivier took career-best figures as Pakistan were bowled out for 181 on the opening day of the first test on Wednesday.

But the visitors mounted a spirited fightback with the ball, reducing South Africa to 127 for five at the close. Top scorer Themba Bavuma (38 not out) and nightwatchman Steyn (13 not out) will resume on day two with the hosts still trailing by 54 runs.

South Africa ripped through Pakistan after being asked to bowl by visiting captain Sarfraz Ahmed as Olivier, in the side for the injured Vernon Philander, claimed 6-37 with his pace and accuracy on a wicket already showing a variable bounce.

But the headlines will revolve around Steyn, who had opener Fakhar Zaman (12) caught at slip by Elgar to move to 422 test wickets, taking outright top spot on South Africa's all-time list ahead of Shaun Pollock.

He was hoisted on the shoulders of fast bowling partner Kagiso Rabada as the healthy Boxing Day crowd at Centurion Park gave him a standing ovation.

The visitors were in early trouble when Rabada (3-59) had Imam-ul-Haq trapped lbw for a duck.

After Steyn (1-66) had removed Zaman with the score on 17, Pakistan moved past 50 before Shan Masood (19) played the ball on to his own stumps off the impressive Olivier.

Asad Shafiq (seven) never looked comfortable at the crease and became Olivier’s second victim as Pakistan took lunch on 76 for four.

The fast bowler ripped through the middle order after the break, removing Azhar Ali (36), Sarfraz (0) and Mohammad Amir (1) in quick succession.

Pakistan were reduced to 111 for eight but mounted an excellent fightback through Babar Azam (71 from 79 balls) as he put on 67 for the ninth wicket with Hasan Ali (21 not out) before being caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis off Rabada.

Pakistan continued their turnaround with the ball as they reduced the home side to 43 for four when Shaheen Afridi (2-36) took the wickets of Dean Elgar (22) and home captain Du Plessis (0) off successive deliveries, both off the edge of the bat.

Aiden Markram (12) and struggling Hashim Amla (8) also fell to high-quality fast bowling from Hasan and Amir, who picked up the wicket of Theunis de Bruyn (29) late in the day.

Dale Steyn became South Africa's leading test wicket-taker and Duanne Olivier took career-best figures as Pakistan were bowled out for 181 on the opening day of the first test on Wednesday.

Dale Steyn became South Africa's leading test wicket-taker and Duanne Olivier took career-best figures as Pakistan were bowled out for 181 on the opening day of the first test on Wednesday. But the visitors mounted a spirited fightback with the ball, reducing South Africa to 127 for five at the close. Top scorer Themba Bavuma (38 not out) and nightwatchman Steyn (13 not out) will resume on day two with the hosts still trailing by 54 runs. South Africa ripped through Pakistan after being asked to bowl by visiting captain Sarfraz Ahmed as Olivier, in the side for the injured Vernon Philander, claimed 6-37 with his pace and accuracy on a wicket already showing a variable bounce. But the headlines will revolve around Steyn, who had opener Fakhar Zaman (12) caught at slip by Elgar to move to 422 test wickets, taking outright top spot on South Africa's all-time list ahead of Shaun Pollock. He was hoisted on the shoulders of fast bowling partner Kagiso Rabada as the healthy Boxing Day crowd at Centurion Park gave him a standing ovation. The visitors were in early trouble when Rabada (3-59) had Imam-ul-Haq trapped lbw for a duck. After Steyn (1-66) had removed Zaman with the score on 17, Pakistan moved past 50 before Shan Masood (19) played the ball on to his own stumps off the impressive Olivier. Asad Shafiq (seven) never looked comfortable at the crease and became Olivier’s second victim as Pakistan took lunch on 76 for four. The fast bowler ripped through the middle order after the break, removing Azhar Ali (36), Sarfraz (0) and Mohammad Amir (1) in quick succession. Pakistan were reduced to 111 for eight but mounted an excellent fightback through Babar Azam (71 from 79 balls) as he put on 67 for the ninth wicket with Hasan Ali (21 not out) before being caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis off Rabada. Pakistan continued their turnaround with the ball as they reduced the home side to 43 for four when Shaheen Afridi (2-36) took the wickets of Dean Elgar (22) and home captain Du Plessis (0) off successive deliveries, both off the edge of the bat. Aiden Markram (12) and struggling Hashim Amla (8) also fell to high-quality fast bowling from Hasan and Amir, who picked up the wicket of Theunis de Bruyn (29) late in the day.

South Africa's Steyn makes history, Olivier shines before Pakistan fightback

Australia is currently on the tour of South Africa to play a four-match Test series.

Australia won the first match took the lead but South Africa levelled the series 1-1 by winning the second Test match.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kagiso-rabada-faces-suspension-for-disrespecting-steve-smith-35308">Kagiso Rabada</a>&nbsp;had faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe in the second match due to the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off.

Rabada earned <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kagiso-rabada-faces-suspension-for-disrespecting-steve-smith-35308">3 demerit points</a>&nbsp;which took him to the eight-point threshold which triggers an automatic two-match ban which Rabada is contesting currently.

His&nbsp;appeal against a&nbsp;ban for the last two Tests of the series will be heard by New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron by teleconference on Monday, with a verdict due to be announced within 48 hours.

The third Test match is scheduled to take place from March 22 at St George&#39;s Park, Port Elizabeth for which&nbsp;South Africa has announced its squad&nbsp;list in which Kagiso Rabada has been included along with two other fast bowlers&nbsp;in case he loses his appeal against a ban.

Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris have been included in a 17-man squad for the test that starts at Newlands on Thursday.

South African squad:

Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada

&nbsp;

Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris have been included in a 17-man squad in case Kagiso Rabada loses his appeal against a ban

Australia is currently on the tour of South Africa to play a four-match Test series. Australia won the first match took the lead but South Africa levelled the series 1-1 by winning the second Test match. Kagiso Rabada had faced a level two charge by the match referee Jeff Crowe in the second match due to the incident when Rabada made a shoulder contact with Australian skipper Steve Smith after sending him off. Rabada earned 3 demerit points which took him to the eight-point threshold which triggers an automatic two-match ban which Rabada is contesting currently. His appeal against a ban for the last two Tests of the series will be heard by New Zealand judicial commissioner Michael Heron by teleconference on Monday, with a verdict due to be announced within 48 hours. The third Test match is scheduled to take place from March 22 at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth for which South Africa has announced its squad list in which Kagiso Rabada has been included along with two other fast bowlers in case he loses his appeal against a ban. Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris have been included in a 17-man squad for the test that starts at Newlands on Thursday. South African squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada

Despite ban, Kagiso Rabada named in South Africa's squad against Australia

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South African captain Dean Elgar rejoices after Duanne Olivier replaces Anrich Nortje for India Tests

South Africa's Steyn makes history, Olivier shines before Pakistan fightback

Despite ban, Kagiso Rabada named in South Africa's squad against Australia