Seamer Ottneil Baartman was not named in South Africa’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Baartman is the leading wicket-taker in the history of the SA20. He is also the top wicket-taker in the ongoing fourth season of the tournament.
Earlier this week, he took a five-wicket haul for the Paarl Royals against the Pretoria Capitals. This included a hat-trick.
“The T20 World Cup is a different story. All I can do is wish them all the very best on their journey and wish for them to win it,” said Baartman.
“I wasn’t too disappointed. I didn’t think that I was going to be picked. I didn’t have the conversations with the coaches and selectors. Obviously guys will be disappointed, but for me, I want to take it each day at a time.
“Our selector called me when I was picked for the Indian series, but before that, nobody communicated with me. The World Cup is a different thing, a different story for me. Nobody actually spoke to me before that or after that so I can’t say anything more on that.
“Like I said, nobody spoke to me. So, I didn’t have that conversation. I don’t know why I wasn’t chosen to play.”
Cricket South Africa selection convener Patrick Moroney told ESPNcricinfo: “I spoke to him on 1 January and let him know that he was not part of the squad but he is on our reserves list and we would be watching him through the SA20.”
The 2026 T20 World Cup will be played from 7 February to 8 March.
South Africa have been grouped with Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa squad for 2026 T20 World Cup
- Aiden Markram (captain)
- Corbin Bosch
- Dewald Brevis
- Quinton de Kock
- Tony de Zorzi
- Donovan Ferreira
- Marco Jansen
- George Linde
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kwena Maphaka
- David Miller
- Lungi Ngidi
- Anrich Nortje
- Kagiso Rabada
- Jason Smith