Durham have signed South Africa pace bowler Duanne Olivier for the rest of the County Championship season.

The 33-year-old will replace West Indies quick Kemar Roach, who took nine wickets in three matches before a pulled hamstring in the draw against Middlesex ended his stay.

Olivier played the last of his 16 Test matches against New Zealand in early 2024 and is an experienced campaigner in England having taken 106 first-class wickets from 32 matches in spells with Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing in England, and the challenge of county cricket is something I’ve long appreciated,” Olivier told the Durham club website., external

“I’ve been following the first few weeks of the County Championship and I’m excited to join the guys, contribute, and get stuck in.”

Olivier, who has taken 578 first-class wickets at an average of 23.84, was due to move to Duham in the second half of the season but Roach’s injury has now brought that forward.

Durham are currently top of Division Two after winning two and drawing two of their first four red-ball games.

They travel to New Road to take on Worcestershire in their next match starting on Friday.