Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has questioned the omission of Ottneil Bartman from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad despite the bowler being the top wicket-taker in SA20.
Bartman, who was part of South Africa’s 2024 squad that lost to India in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, has since played 11 of the Proteas’ 29 matches and found himself on the sidelines as the team aims to go one better next month.
Although the squad was finalized a week after the start of the fourth edition of the SA20, it was too early to influence World Cup selection, said convener Patrick Moroney.
South Africa have opted for a pace-heavy approach, including six pacers in Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Nkiti, Marco Johnson, Corbin Bosh, Gwena Mabaga and Unrich Nordje. While it provides raw speed, there may be no lateral variation.
Steyn, who coached Bartman in the first three SA20 seasons at Sunrisers Eastern Cape, said Seamer should be considered “one of the best white bowlers in South Africa”.
“We should start looking at Bartman as one of SA’s best white-ball bowlers,” Steyn tweeted.
“He’s the highest wicket-taker in SA20, won the league twice and made the final – a tournament with four internationals and all Proteas! He’s top. That’s great quality, but he’ll be sitting at home in this year’s T20 World Cup,” he added.
Bardman’s recent performance at Newlands helped Paarl Royals thrash MICT to the lowest SA20 score. He dismissed Nicholas Pooran at a crucial stage and finished with 2 for 8 in 2.4 overs, reinforcing Steyn’s point.
Paarl captain David Miller sympathized with Bartman: “Guys are hard to miss. The biggest thing is the response – how they come back. He’s done that, coming out despite the disappointment.”
Bartman will be looking to continue his strong SA20 campaign when Paarl Royals take on Joburg Super Kings at Wanderers on Thursday.
South Africa Squad for 2026 T20 World Cup: Aidan Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Johnson, Henrich Nordje, Lungi Ngiti, Kagiso Rabada, Devald Previs, Tony De Georgie, Jason Smith, Corbin Bosh, Kwena Mabaga, George Linde and Donovan Ferre and Donovan.
comments