Naturally, when a South African cricket squad is announced for a major tournament like the T20 World Cup starting next month, there will be debate on who has missed out, and Proteas fast bowling legend Dale Steyn is justifiably upset that Ottniel Baartman did not get the nod.
The squad was announced last week, with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, and Kwena Maphaka the men selected as the pace bowlers in the squad.
Maphaka and Bosch have not appeared at a Cricket World Cup before, while Baartman was part of the Proteas side which made it to the final of the T20 World Cup last year.
Baartman has also shone so far in the SA20 as the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets in four matches so far for the Paarl Royals.
Baartman: SA’s Top White Ball Bowler Overlooked for 20/20 WC
“We really need to start looking at Baartman as one of SA’s best white ball bowlers,” said Steyn on X.
“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.
That’s TOP quality, but he’ll be sitting home for this year’s 20/20 WC.”
In 17 T20Is for South Africa, Baartman has taken 22 wickets for an average of 21 and a strike-rate of 15.
At 32, and with players like 19-year-old Maphaka rising up the ranks, it seems like Baartman may be left scratching his head about his future for the Proteas.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
