Steyn not happy with Baartman’s exclusion from T20 WC squad and called him “one of SA’s best white-ball bowlers.”
Dale Steyn questions Baartman’s exclusion from T20 World Cup squad.
Ottneil Baartman was included in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad despite not even surpassing Marco Jansen to the top of the SA20 wicket-takers’ chart.
Baartman, who was a member of the 2024 squad that lost to India in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, has only been in 11 of South Africa’s 29 games since then and is now on the sidelines as they look to improve next month.
With six speedy players in their squad—Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, and Anrich Nortje—South Africa has a lot of real speed but may lack variety.
They have Ngidi for cutters and slower balls, but Baartman can surprise hitters with his skiddiness. If it were up to the legendary Dale Steyn of South Africa, Baartman would have made the cut. Baartman should be regarded as “one of SA’s best white-ball bowlers,” according to Steyn, who coached his bowling during the first three SA20 tournaments at Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC).
Steyn mentioned Baartman’s SA20 record, which is on par with Jansen’s and far superior to everyone else’s, as well as the conditions in which he has performed. Rabada, who has taken 34 wickets, is the next best wicket-taker. Baartman, who presently plays for the second-place Paarl Royals, has been in three finals. He has dismissed Heinrich Klaasen, Ryan Rickelton, Jonny Bairstow, Dewald Brevis, and Rashid Khan twice apiece, as well as Matthew Breetzke and James Neesham three times apiece.
“He’s the highest wicket taker in SA20, won the league twice and made a final, let me remind you, that’s a comp that has 4 INTERNATIONAL players (often batters) plus all the PROTEAS! He’s number 1,” Steyn tweeted. “Thats TOP quality, but he’ll be sitting home for this years 20/20 WC.”
Baartman has spearheaded a Paarl offence that had few superstars going into the tournament, particularly when it came to bowling. In addition to him, they have discovered a treasure in 19-year-old Nqobani Mokoena, whom Baartman has mentored. “I know that he loves the game of cricket and contributing, regardless of whether he makes it or not,” Miller remarked regarding Baartman. “He still adores the game. He’s in that area.”
Later this week, when the Royals travel to play the Johannesburg Super Kings at the Wanderers on Thursday, Baartman and Mokoena will have a greater opportunity to make an impression.