Ottneil Baartman has been ruled out of the 3rd ODI against Pakistan due to a knee injury, joining a list of injured South African bowlers including Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder. Corbin Bosch will replace him in the ODI squad. South Africa’s team strategy may shift depending on Mulder’s fitness as they prepare for the upcoming matches, aiming to recover dignity in their last ODI before next year’s Champions Trophy.
South African cricketer Ottneil Baartman has been excluded from the squad for the third One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan due to concerns surrounding his right knee. This injury comes shortly after Keshav Maharaj sustained an injury earlier in the series, marking Baartman as the second bowler and sixth seamer to be injured during this summer’s matches. Joining Baartman on the injury list are other players including Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, and Anrich Nortje.
Corbin Bosch will take Baartman’s position in the ODI side after receiving his first call-up for the Test squad. There are high expectations for Bosch, who might be making his Test debut against Pakistan on Boxing Day. Baartman reported discomfort in his run-up while bowling practice ahead of the second ODI, necessitating this change. Though not part of the squad for the last match, Baartman played in the series opener, where he bowled seven overs.
Looking ahead, Baartman is set to participate in the SA20 league with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. His absence is not expected to significantly impact South Africa’s Test strategies as they await updates on Wiaan Mulder’s condition. Mulder had sustained a fracture to his right middle finger in a Test match against Sri Lanka but has since returned to practice and was scheduled for a scan. Test coach Shukri Conrad indicated that the team would adopt a cautious strategy regarding Mulder’s reintegration into the lineup.
If Mulder cannot play, South Africa may opt for an all-pace bowling unit for the match at SuperSport Park, featuring Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Bosch, and Dane Paterson. Additionally, they might consider Kwena Maphaka, who made a commendable ODI debut on Thursday, taking 4 wickets for 72 runs despite the team suffering an 81-run loss to Pakistan. As the series has been secured by Pakistan, South Africa aims to restore some dignity on Pink Day, which will serve as their final ODI with the top available players prior to next year’s Champions Trophy.
The situation surrounding the South African cricket team has become concerning due to multiple injuries affecting key bowlers, diminishing options for upcoming matches against Pakistan. Ottneil Baartman’s recent knee injury adds to the list of sidelined players, which includes established bowlers. As this series unfolds, South Africa is attempting to manage their squad effectively while preparing for future commitments, including the SA20 league and the 2024 Champions Trophy.
In summary, Ottneil Baartman’s exclusion from the third ODI against Pakistan due to a right knee issue adds to the growing list of injuries among South African seamers. Corbin Bosch’s selection as Baartman’s replacement reflects the team’s efforts to adapt amidst challenges. With ongoing concerns regarding the fitness of other players, South Africa’s strategy moving forward involves a careful assessment of their options as they seek to end the ODI series on a positive note before next year’s Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
