South Africa suffered another bowling injury with Ottneil Baartman ruled out of the third ODI against Pakistan due to a right knee problem. Baartman is the second bowler after Keshav Maharaj who was injured in the ODI series and the sixth bowler this summer to be sidelined. Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams and Anrich Nortje are the others.
Corbin Bosch, who got his first Test squad call-up, will replace Baartman in the ODI squad and is also in line for a debut Test against Pakistan on Boxing Day.
Baartman felt discomfort during his run-up while pitching before the second ODI on Thursday in Cape Town. He was not part of the match-day XI, but played in the series opener in Paarl two days earlier. He then bowled seven overs with returns of two for 37. Baartman’s next assignment is SA20, where he is under contract with the Eastern Cape Sunrisers.
His injury should not affect South Africa’s Test plans, even if they wait for Mulder’s fitness. Mulder broke his right middle finger in the first Test against Sri Lanka last month, but has started hitting balls again and was due to undergo a scan on Thursday.
Test coach Shukri Conrad said South Africa will be cautious when looking at Mulder’s return, which suggests he might not play in the first Test at SuperSport Park. That is a venue where South Africa could give it their all and have Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Bosch and Dane Paterson playing or look to 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who made his ODI debut on Thursday. He took 4 for 72 in the match, which South Africa lost by 81 runs.
Pakistan have already won the series, but South Africa will look to salvage some pride on Pink Day at the Wanderers on Sunday. It will be their last ODI with their strongest available team before next year’s Champions Trophy.
Leave a comment