OLIVIER CAN SWITCH, BUT CRICKET WILL PAY A PRICE IN THE FUTURE

DUANNE OLIVIER has played 10 Tests for South Africa which makes sense, having been born in Groblersdal, Transvaal Province. What does not make sense is that, at the age of 26, he wants to play for England. Olivier (above) is not some kid, confused about issues of dual nationality. He has given up on South Africa to play for Yorkshire — his choice, his call, made for financial gain — meaning if he can earn British citizenship by spending 210 days annually in this country for three years, he will be available in 2022. And the ECB can take him, too, under their new rules to encourage ringers and suck out what remains of the enthusiasm for cricket in this country. Of course, one might argue that the young Olivier was no great shakes for South Africa, so why should he be any better at 29? Yet it is not Olivier’s talent that is important here, but the way cricket’s nationality rules are allowing the international game to become increasingly irrelevant. We start caring about these issues or this branch of sport dies. There has to come a time when your bed is made and you lie in it.