The curious case of Ottneil Baartman: The best, but not good enough.

OPINION - One of the hottest debates among cricket fans across South Africa currently is why Ottneil Baartman (32) was left out of the Proteas 15-man squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off in Sri Lanka and India on 7 February.

The squad was announced on 2 January, roughly a week after the month-long Betway SA20 season had begun.

Baartman, a native of Oudtshoorn and a standout product of SWD Cricket, starred for the Paarl Royals in the tournament.

For the second time in his career (he previously played for Sunrisers Eastern Cape), he topped the wicket charts in the popular local T20 league - which also fielded international cricketers - claiming 20 wickets. This included a five-wicket haul featuring a hat-trick against Pretoria Capitals - a rare feat that marks only the second hat-trick since the SA20's inception four years ago.

To place the cherry on top, he also became the all-time leading wicket-taker in SA20 history with 61 wickets overall.

Conflicting claims over communication

During a press conference amid the SA20, Baartman revealed that no one from Cricket South Africa (CSA) had contacted him about his omission; a claim that sparked major controversy.

I read somewhere that CSA selectors, led by convenor Patrick Moroney, strongly denied this, insisting Baartman was called on 1 January (before the public announcement) and informed he was on the backup list.

The official explanation was that there wasn't room for both him and Lungi Ngidi in the same group, as they offer similar pace and variations, with Ngidi's cutters and slower balls deemed better suited to certain conditions.

The decision to announce the final squad before the conclusion of the SA20 has drawn heavy criticism, although CSA pointed out that it was a deadline from the ICC (International Cricket Council) to submit the Protea squad on 1 January.

Be that as it may, Baartman was in red-hot form for the Proteas after a strong T20I series in India in December last year, and his scintillating bowling performances in the recent SA20 only fuelled the fire.

During the tournament, legends like Dale Steyn openly questioned the snub, calling Baartman "one of SA's best white-ball bowlers" and highlighting his skiddy action that could trouble batters on subcontinental pitches.

However, many pointed out the preference for younger, raw-pace options like Kwena Maphaka (an 'X-factor' pick according to coach Shukri Conrad, despite Maphaka's quieter SA20 showing).

No inclusion in warm-up matches, more questions

Shock turned to frustration when Baartman wasn't even included in last week's three warm-up matches against the West Indies. In these games non-squad players like Rubin Hermann and Luhandre Pretorius got opportunities.

This has led to speculation if there is lingering tension from the conflicting communication stories, and if the omission could have been somewhat punitive. If so, it's a low blow for a player in the prime of his career.

At age 32, Baartman is performing at his peak, and one can only hope this doesn't derail his future prospects or that he will seek greener pastures ditching the international arena.

South African fans won't settle for anything less than a first T20 World Cup title for the Proteas; though even victory might spark murmurs of "they could have won more easily".

Strong on paper, but missing a key piece?

It must be said that under coach Conrad, who proved his mettle by delivering the World Test Championship trophy last year despite selection grumbles, the team has shown it can overcome controversy to succeed.

On paper, even without Baartman, the Proteas look formidable:

Aiden Markram as captain (and spin option) looks solid, with a potent pace unit of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and young Maphaka (19), backed by spinners Keshav Maharaj and George Linde, plus explosive batters like Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Ryan Rickleton, Jason Smith, Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs.

Ironically, with Baartman not being picked, this leaves the Proteas with only five black players in their 15-man squad, falling one short of CSA's prescribed transformation target.

One can only hope that Conrad's men deliver the goods once again, rather than reminding everyone that a special talent had been left behind.

Here in the countryside, we will watch eagerly.

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