FROM HARDSHIP TO HAT-TRICK: OTTNEIL BAARTMAN THE ROYAL SUCCESS STORY OF BETWAY SA20

Ottneil Baartman knows all about a life where his single mom’s entire existence was to ensure he and his sibling had something in their bellies before they closed their eyes.

Those were desperate times back in Oudtshoorn. Fortunately, through hard work and dedication, along with his unbelievable skills with a cricket ball, Baartman has been able to put behind a hand-to-mouth existence.

He now has a family of his own that he provides for, and does that rather well, with his R5.1 million Betway SA20 contract being a game-changer along with now playing international cricket for the Proteas and various T20 deals around the world, which has included the IPL and Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US.

But his motivation remains the same as his mother’s, which is to serve his family, and that’s why the Paarl Royals seamer had no hesitation dedicating his first-ever Betway SA20 hat-trick, achieved in sensational fashion against the Pretoria Capitals on Thursday evening at a sold-out Centurion, to his loved ones.

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“My daughter, my son, my wife is back home now.” Baartman said. “I'm assuming they're screaming back home now, but yeah, it means so much to my family.

“I’ve hardly seen them for the last four months. Obviously, I was in Pakistan, and then I went from there to India, and then straight from there, it's SA20.

“And then probably from here, I go back to the domestic franchise team. So, probably to them (his family) because they sacrifice a lot. I don't see them often, but yeah, they support me so much from the sidelines.”

Baartman has undoubtedly been one of the fairytale stories of Betway SA20 over the past four seasons. Signed initially as an uncapped player by the Sunrisers Eastern Cape ahead of Season 1, where he learnt his trade alongside senior bowlers such as Marco Jansen, Daniel Worrall, and Richard Gleeson over three successful seasons, the 32-year-old has now transformed into the undisputed leader of the Paarl Royal seam attack, with his amazing numbers testament to the fact. 

Baartman’s 5/16 against the Capitals propelled him past Jansen as the leading wicket-taker in Betway SA20 history with 57 wickets at an average of 14.10 and economy of 8.04. 

He also currently tops the Season 4 wicket-takers list with 16 scalps and is poised to break the 20-wicket glass ceiling with the Royals set for at least a further three matches after securing their playoff spot.

“Obviously, I'm very proud. It's difficult to pick up a lot of wickets, but that means so much to me,” Baartman said.

“There is a plan (to pass 20 wickets). Obviously, after that, the semi-finals, finals. So, obviously, to qualify first or second and give us another extra edge when you don't make it or you lose the semi-final.

“But yeah, I think I'll take it game by game. Obviously, don't look too far ahead of us. Definitely, it's a different situation, different wicket, different place. So, we take it day at a time.”

Being the Royals’ talisman also comes with extra responsibilities, and just the way he learnt from the Sunrisers’ senior core, he is now passing on a few golden nuggets to teenage prodigy Nqobani Mokoena, who has been equally impressive with 11 wickets thus far in the competition.

“At Paarl, of course it's a different dimension. Obviously, I'm one of the senior bowlers, leader of the attack,” he said. 

“We obviously have a young group. Young bowlers, Mokoena, hopefully the form continues for him.  

“But he's up-and-coming, and obviously, he can go far in his career. Just needs the guidance on and off the field. I try to pass the knowledge to Mokoena, and then obviously, it's how he takes it in.”

Baartman will be back in action when the Royals meet Durban’s Super Giants in their penultimate round-robin clash at Kingsmead on Saturday.