South Africa's pace attack has taken a hit ahead of their upcoming ODI clash with Australia following an injury to seamer Ottneil Baartman. Cricket South Africa confirmed on Sunday that a left hamstring strain will keep the bowler sidelined. In his place, the selectors have called up Duan Jansen, fresh off his international debut in the Namibia T20I tri-series, who is scheduled to join the squad when they assemble in Durban on September 19.
South Africa's Ottneil Baartman ruled out of Australia ODIs
Baartman had only recently worked his way back into action, having sat out the ongoing ODI series against Namibia. His last outing for the national team came during the New Zealand T20I series back in March, following an international stretch that included South Africa's tour of India late last year. After a stint in Major League Cricket over the summer, he returned to domestic red-ball action this week for the Dolphins in their CSA 4-Day Series opener against the Titans.
Unfortunately, his return was cut short during that domestic fixture. Baartman managed to deliver just five overs during the Titans' innings before walking off, and he was later unable to take his turn at the crease during the Dolphins' second turn to bat, prompting the official medical update from CSA.
Fresh off an impressive performance in Namibia, where he grabbed 4 for 31 in the second one-dayer following his earlier T20I debut, Duan Jansen stepped into the XI as part of three squad rotations for South Africa's series finale, with the team already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead.
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His inclusion comes as South Africa manages a depleted seam bowling unit. Kagiso Rabada remains unavailable as he recovers from a hamstring issue, while Anrich Nortje was left out of consideration. To bolster their options, selectors handed a recall to Gerald Coetzee, marking his first ODI involvement since the 2023 World Cup. They join a fast-bowling group that features Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, young prospect Kwena Maphaka, and Corbin Bosch.
The upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia is scheduled to run from September 24 to 30.