Ottneil Baartman Ruled Out of Third ODI Against Pakistan Due to Injury

Ottneil Baartman has been ruled out of the 3rd ODI against Pakistan due to a right knee injury, joining Keshav Maharaj on the sidelines. Corbin Bosch will replace him in the squad. South Africa is also monitoring Wiaan Mulder’s recovery as they strategize for upcoming matches, hoping to conclude the series positively despite key injuries.

South African cricketer Ottneil Baartman has been officially ruled out of the third One Day International (ODI) match against Pakistan due to complications arising from a right knee injury. This injury represents another setback for the South African bowling unit, as Keshav Maharaj has already been sidelined earlier in the series. This marks Baartman as the second bowler and the sixth seam bowler to be affected by injuries over the summer, joining teammates such as Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, and Anrich Nortje.

Corbin Bosch has been called up to take Baartman’s place in the ODI squad. Bosch, who recently received his first Test squad selection, is also poised to potentially make his Test debut against Pakistan on Boxing Day. This change was prompted by Baartman experiencing discomfort during his bowling run-up prior to the second ODI scheduled for Thursday in Cape Town. Although he did not participate in the match-day lineup for that game, he had previously bowled seven overs in the series opener two days prior.

Following his recovery, Baartman is expected to participate in SA20, where he is contracted with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. His injury is not anticipated to impact South Africa’s Test strategy significantly, especially as the team awaits updates regarding Wiaan Mulder’s fitness. Mulder had sustained a fracture to his right middle finger during the first Test against Sri Lanka but has since returned to practice and is due for a medical scan. According to Test coach Shukri Conrad, the team will be attentive and cautious regarding Mulder’s readiness.

Should Wiaan Mulder be unable to compete, South Africa may elect to adopt an all-pace strategy for their upcoming match at SuperSport Park, potentially including Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Bosch, and Dane Paterson. Emerging players such as Kwena Maphaka, who debuted on Thursday and recorded impressive figures of 4/72 despite the team’s 81-run loss, might also be considered. Despite having lost the series to Pakistan, South Africa aims to regain some pride during the Pink Day fixture at the Wanderers, which will serve as their final ODI with the best available squad before the forthcoming Champions Trophy next year.

The South African cricket team is currently dealing with multiple injuries among their bowlers as they face Pakistan in a series of One Day Internationals. With two key players, Keshav Maharaj and Ottneil Baartman, being ruled out of critical matches, the team is seeking alternate solutions to maintain their performance on the field. Injury management and player selection are pivotal, especially with the upcoming Champions Trophy on the horizon.

In summary, Ottneil Baartman’s injury leads to his exclusion from the third ODI against Pakistan, deepening the challenges faced by South Africa’s bowling lineup this summer. Corbin Bosch has been enlisted as his replacement, while the South African team prepares strategically for their next matches. The focus will be on managing player fitness and exploring all options available for their pitch strategy as they aim to conclude the ODI series on a positive note.

Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com