Proteas pacer ruled out of Australia ODIs with injury

Ottneil Baartman has been ruled out of South Africa’s upcoming ODI series against Australia after sustaining a left hamstring injury during the domestic first-class season opener.

Baartman bowled just five overs and will undergo further medical assessment to determine his rehabilitation timeline.

Duan Jansen, who is currently with the South Africa squad in Namibia, has been called up as Baartman’s replacement.

Jansen was the leading wicket-taker in the T20I tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe, taking 11 wickets in four matches as South Africa won the title. He also claimed five wickets in the first two ODIs of the ongoing series before being rested for the third and final match. 

Baartman is the second South African player to be ruled out of the series through injury, following Kagiso Rabada, who was also made unavailable after reporting a hamstring concern.

Cricket South Africa has not provided a recovery timeline for Rabada and will assess his availability for the three-match ICC World Test Championship series against Australia closer to its October 9 start. Baartman could also remain in contention for the Test squad, with South Africa facing a demanding eight-Test summer.

The ODI series against Australia will be an important part of South Africa’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which they will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

South Africa updated squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs.

Series schedule:

First ODI - 24 September, Durban
Second ODI - 27 September, Johannesburg
Third ODI - 30 September, Potchefstroom