Baartman keeps taking wickets as non-selection debate goes on as Dale Steyn raises questions to CSA via tweets.
The SA20’s all-time top wicket-taker, Ottneil Baartman, has disclosed that “nobody” from the South African national team has spoken to him regarding his exclusion from the T20 World Cup roster. Baartman was a member of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad but was pulled out in favour of six other seamers for the forthcoming tournament in India and Sri Lanka. He does not know why. Baartman took 5 for 16, including a hat-trick in Paarl Royals’ victory against Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 on Thursday.
“The World Cup is a different story. All I can do is wish them all the very best on their journey and wish for them to win it,” he said in Centurion after Royals’ table-topping victory. “I wasn’t too disappointed. I didn’t think that I was going to be picked. I didn’t have the conversations with the coaches and selectors. Obviously guys will be disappointed, but for me, I want to take it each day at a time.”
Baartman was the third-highest wicket-taker for South Africa during a T20I series in India in December, which led to the snub. Additionally, Baartman claims that he last spoke with Patrick Moroney, the selection convener, at that time.
“Our selector called me when I was picked for the Indian series, but before that, nobody communicated with me,” he said. “The World Cup is a different thing, a different story for me. Nobody actually spoke to me before that or after that so I can’t say anything more on that.”
Asked if he knew what he needed to do to get back into the squad, Baartman reiterated that he had no idea. “Like I said, nobody spoke to me. So, I didn’t have that conversation. I don’t know why I wasn’t chosen to play.”
In the event that South Africa needs to replace a bowler, Baartman is on their backup list. Teams for the T20 World Cup may be changed up until January 31 for any reason, and then if an injury occurs. A modification will thereafter require approval from the event technical committee.
Baartman has presented a compelling case for himself in the event that South Africa needs to make any trades. He has been crucial to the Royals’ ascent to the top of the ladder and is presently the top bowler in the fourth SA20. After three seasons with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, where he became well-known, this is his first season with the Royals.
On a SA20 broadcast, head coach Shukri Conrad, who shares selection responsibilities with Moroney, stated that South Africa had already selected their team for the India tour, but at the end of the tour, he announced there were still slots available. It’s unclear where Baartman stood at the moment, but Keshav Maharaj, a teammate on the national team, has also offered him support.
“People talk about X-factor and he has it because he is able to hold a length for a long time and he does not leave the stumps, with his bumper and the odd variation,” Maharaj, the Capitals captain, said. “He sums up conditions very quickly. He is a world-class performer and he’s shown at international level that he can change a game. He is the best death bowler in the country.”