Denemek ALTIN - Özgür

Baartman omission ‘strange’ and ‘weird’ says Steyn

The Mercury

|

January 07, 2026

FORMER Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn described is as “weird” and “strange” that fast bowler Ottneil Baartman did not make the ICC T20 World Cup squad, despite being the leading wicket-taker in the SA20.

- ONGAMA GCWABE

Baartman omission ‘strange’ and ‘weird’ says Steyn

Baartman was a key player for South Africa in the previous edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, as he bowled a total of 19 overs in the five games he played, meaning it was only in one game that he didn’t go through his allotted four overs in a match.

The right-arm quick returned an economy rate of 4.94 runs per over, an almost unheard of rate in the shortest format of the game.

In the SA20, he is one of two bowlers that have crossed the 50 wickets mark, alongside Marco Jansen who has been included in the Proteas squad headed for the tournament in India next month.

In the recently concluded bilateral series in India, Baartman finished third on the top wicket-takers list, behind only Lungi Ngidi and Varun Chakravarthy, and ahead of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

The Mercury'den DAHA FAZLA HİKAYE

The Mercury

An epic offshore season awaits – 2026 is firing on all cylinders!

Buckle up, because 2026 is rolling in hot with an offshore season that’s already showing serious promise.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

The Mercury

CMS investigates Discovery Health's co-payment recovery claims

THE Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) says it will investigate claims that Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is seeking to claim co-payments back from its members due to an error at South Africa's biggest medical aid in December.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

Be your own knight: Finding greatness in yourself

THERE are no knights in shining armour.

time to read

1 min

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

The Mercury

Champions Cup audition for Stormers fringe players against Harlequins

LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

time to read

3 mins

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

Sharks searching for new ‘Butch’ or ‘Michalak’ to fire up listless attack

THE Sharks have sent a squad composed mostly of up-and-coming youngsters to Manchester to face Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

The Mercury

De Jong’s work rate could be the missing piece in Orlando Pirates’ title push

HE is not the flashiest striker in the league.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

Wildfires challenge firefighting crews in Western Cape amid extreme heat

EXTREME heat, dense vegetation and limited access are complicating firefighting efforts across parts of the Western Cape yesterday as crews continue to battle multiple active wildfires from the Overstrand to the Garden Route.

time to read

1 mins

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

IMF Africa chief Abebe Selassie to retire after leading department through turbulent decade

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, has announced that Abebe Aemro Selassie will retire as director of the IMF’s African Department (AFR) on May 1, bringing to a close a distinguished 32-year career at the Fund.

time to read

1 min

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

The Mercury

Ramaphosa: Unemployment keeps me awake

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the high levels of unemployment in the country, revealing that the issue often keeps him awake at night.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

The Mercury

US asserts control over Venezuela's oil sales

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump's administration said this week it will dictate decisions to Venezuela's interim leaders and control the country’s oil sales “indefinitely” after toppling Nicolas Maduro.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size