Baartman Ruled Out of Third ODI Against Pakistan Due to Right Knee Issue

South Africa has suffered another setback as Ottneil Baartman has been ruled out of the third ODI against Pakistan due to a right knee injury. Baartman is the second bowler, after Keshav Maharaj, to be injured during the ODI series. He is also the sixth seamer to be sidelined this summer, joining Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, and Anrich Nortje.

Corbin Bosch received his first call-up to the Test squad, he replace Baartman in the ODI squad. He is also in line to make his Test debut against Pakistan on Boxing Day.

Baartman’s Injury Impact on the ODI Series

Baartman felt discomfort while running up to bowl ahead of the second ODI on Thursday in Cape Town. He wasn’t part of the playing XI for the match but had played in the series opener in Pakistan two days earlier. In that match, he bowled seven overs and took 2 wickets for 37 runs. Baartman’s next focus will be the SA20, where he is contracted to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Mulder, who broke his right middle finger playing against Sri Lanka last month, is back to batting and even got a scan taken of the inside of his body on Thursday. Despite waiting to see if Mulder's fit to play, South Africa's test strategy won't be changed.

Kwena Maphaka Shines on ODI Debut

The team's coach, Shukri Conrad, said they're going to play it safe with Mulder's comeback. He might not play on the field for the opening test at SuperSport Park: this situation might lead to South Africa going with an all-pace lineup, putting players such as Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Bosch, and Dane Paterson. On another note, they're eyeing Kwena Maphaka, a young man, only 18, who just did something impressive in his ODI debut last Thursday he picked 4 wickets despite the team's loss by 81 runs.

Though Pakistan has already won the series, South Africa will aim to restore some pride on Pink Day at the Wanderers on Sunday. This will be their last ODI with their strongest available squad before next year’s Champions Trophy.