South Africa’s Ottneill Baartman has been instrumental in the current T20 World Cup 2024.
In the current T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa’s bowling team has seen significant contributions from rising pacer Ottneil Baartman. Prior to the major event, the 31-year-old only played for the Proteas once, on May 5, 2023, at Sabina Park against the West Indies. He was chosen for the squad by the Cricket South Africa (CSA) selectors, who took a risk, but he has paid them back by leading the Rainbow Nation to some memorable World Cup performances.
In the 20-team event, the right-arm pacer has appeared in five of South Africa’s first six matches. Taking six wickets at a 15.67 average,
Ottneil Baartman was chosen mostly due to his outstanding performance during the SA20’s second season. In the lucrative league, he concluded with 18 wickets at an average of 11.77 and an economy rate of 6.95. With 20 wickets taken this season, Baartman was second only to Marco Jansen. He had an outstanding 4-10 against the Durban Super Giants in the first qualifier, which put his Sunrisers Eastern Cape club on a direct path to the championship game, which they ultimately won.
Baartman’s mother desired that her son prioritize his studies. “My mother did not advise me to attend a private school, even though I had the option. It was one of those situations where they neglected academics in favor of sports. For us, the lesson was that learning comes before playing sports, as Baartman was cited by Wisden.
The Oudtshoorn native fulfilled his dream of playing for his country and is now a regular bowler for the national squad in what is shaping up to be a spectacular campaign under Aiden Markram’s leadership. South Africa is on the verge of qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals after winning six straight games.
