South Africa News: Ottneil Baartman out of third ODI against Pakistan with right knee problem
South Africa suffered another bowling injury and Ottneil Baartman was ruled out of the third ODI against Pakistan with a right knee problem. Baartman is the second bowler after Keshav Maharaj, who was injured in the ODI series, and the sixth bowler this summer to be sidelined. Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams and Anrich Nortje are the others.

Corbin Bosch, who earned his first call-up to the Test squad, will replace Baartman in the ODI squad and is also in line for a debut Test against Pakistan on Boxing Day.

Baartman experienced discomfort during his career while bowling ahead of the second ODI on Thursday in Cape Town. He was not part of the matchday XI, but did play in the series opener in Paarl two days earlier. He then bowled seven overs with returns of 2 for 37. Baartman’s next assignment is SA20, where he is contracted to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

His injury should not affect South Africa’s Test plans, even as they wait on Mulder’s fitness. Mulder broke his right middle finger in the first Test against Sri Lanka last month but has started hitting balls again and was due to have a scan on Thursday. Test coach Shukri Conrad said South Africa will be conservative in considering Mulder’s return, suggesting he may not play in the first Test at SuperSport Park. That’s a place where South Africa could go full throttle and play Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Bosch and Dane Paterson or look to 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who made his ODI debut on Thursday. He took 4 for 72 in the match, which South Africa lost by 81 runs.

Pakistan have already won the series, but South Africa will look to salvage some pride on Pink Day at the Wanderers on Sunday. It will be his last ODI with his strongest available team before the Champions Trophy next year.

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