Dale Steyn Critiques Exclusion of Ottniel Baartman from T20 World Cup Squad

Steyn Questions Baartman's Omission from Proteas Squad

Cape Town, South Africa - January 6: Renowned South African cricketer Dale Steyn has expressed his concerns regarding the absence of speedster Ottniel Baartman from the Proteas' 15-member lineup for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka.

Baartman, a right-arm fast bowler, currently leads the wicket-taking charts in the ongoing SA20 League 2025-26 season. In just four matches with the Paarl Royals, he has claimed 11 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 9.20.

Previously, Baartman was part of the 2024 Proteas squad that faced India in the T20 World Cup final held in Barbados. Since that match, he has participated in only 11 out of South Africa's 29 matches, leaving him out of the squad as they aim for a better performance next month.

The Proteas have opted for a pace-dominant team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Khweza Maphaka, and Anrich Nortje, while Baartman was not selected.

Steyn, who served as Baartman's bowling coach during the first three seasons of the SA20 at Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), emphasized that Baartman deserves recognition as one of South Africa's premier white-ball bowlers.

“We must start acknowledging Baartman as one of South Africa's top white-ball bowlers. He leads the SA20 in wickets, has won the league twice, and reached a final. This league features four international players, often batters, alongside all the Proteas! He’s number one, which is exceptional quality, yet he will be watching this year's T20 World Cup from home,” the former cricketer stated on X.

Baartman made his T20I debut against the West Indies in Kingston in May 2024. Since then, he has played 17 T20Is, taking 22 wickets at an average of 21.59, with an economy rate of 8.21, including two four-wicket hauls.