Dale Steyn still baffled by Ottniel Baartman’s Proteas' omission
Dale Steyn expressed frustration over Ottniel Baartman’s exclusion from the Proteas’ T20 World Cup squad again despite his outstanding performance as the leading wicket-taker in the SA20. Picture: Robert Cianflone/AFP
Image: Picture: Robert Cianflone/AFP
It’s not the first time Dale Steyn has complained that Ottniel Baartman is not in favour with South Africa at the moment, and ahead of the short T20I series against the West Indies, the Proteas legend has cried foul once more.
South Africa take on the Windies in the first of three T20Is in Paarl starting on Tuesday.
Baartman was not included in the squad for the T20 World Cup next month, and the series against the Windies will serve as a warm-up for the majority of the squad bound for the World Cup taking place in India and Sri Lanka.
A week ago, the Proteas added Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs to their World Cup squad following the injuries to Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira. Still, there was no place for Baartman, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in the SA20 with 20 wickets from nine matches.
Baartman’s Exclusion from 20/20 WC Sparks Debate: Steyn Highlights His Top-Quality Performance
“Can someone please explain what Baartman has done wrong????
Like, seriously! WT**!” said Steyn on X in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Last month, Steyn also spoke on the matter when he said: “ 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.