South Africa's Ottneil Baartman faces injury ahead of Australia ODIs

SA Pace Attack Hit by Injury Doubts Before Australia ODIs

South Africa's fast-bowling options are taking a hit ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia (Sept 24, 27, 30). Pace bat Ottneil Baartman is a major doubt after picking up an injury while playing the Dolphins vs Titans red-ball game. He managed just 5 overs, conceded 60, and conveniently didn't bat in the second innings — clear sign something felt off. Formal fitness update expected today (Sept 13).

This lands hard on an already thin attack. Kagiso Rabada is already out with a hamstring issue, no clear timeline given — CSA's keeping his Test availability (starts Oct 9) under wraps for now.

Red flags across the squad: Titans' Lungi Ngidi — also in the ODI XI — left the field in the second innings and didn't bowl again. So now you've got questions around two of your key quicks right before the biggest series of the cycle. Meanwhile Marco Jansen was on fire with 7 wickets in that same fixture, so depth isn't entirely missing.

Others who stepped up in domestic round:

- Bavuma (c): 91 + 9 for the Lions

- Ryan Rickelton: his 19th FC century, same Lions game

- Tristan Stubbs: 46 + 11 (onedrop) for the Warriors

- Kyle Verreynne: 45; David Bedingham: gritty 5 at #3

- Dane Paterson: 3 wkts mid-innings

Full ODI squad: Bavuma (c), Baartman, Bosch, Breetzke, Coetzee, de Kock, de Zorzi, Fortuin, Jansen, Maharaj, Maphaka, Markram, Miller, Ngidi, Rickelton, Stubbs.

Bottom line: SA's bowling depth is getting scrutinised with Rabada out and Baartman/Ngidi fitness uncertain. If those two go down, the whole game plan shifts. Watch the fitness update closely tmr.

Source: Crictracker