Ottniel Baartman backed to shine for Proteas if he gets a chance against India

Ottniel Baartman has been backed to make a successful step up to international cricket with the Proteas when they take on India in the three-match T20 series starting in Durban on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Baartman is uncapped at the highest level and has been selected in the Proteas' squads for the T20 matches and three ODIs that will follow against the tourists.

The seam bowler has been a consistent performer for his province, the Dolphins, on the domestic scene and also helped the Sunrisers Eastern Cape win the inaugural SA20 title last summer.

Dolphins coach, and former Proteas opening batter, Imraan Khan added that Baartman has been a crucial member of his team's success in the last few seasons.

The Oudtshoorn-born seamer's career stats certainly attest to Khan's words as he has taken 68 wickets in 51 T20 matches at a brilliant economy-rate of less than seven runs to the over.

The paceman has also picked up 61 scalps in 42 List A encounters, again at a healthy economy of less than five to the over.

"Ottniel is an incredibly hard worker and has been for a long period of time," Khan said.

"He's become a crucial part of our set-up here at the Dolphins and I am sure that he will be able to make that step up to international cricket.

"His consistent performances for the Dolphins have been crucial in our success across all formats and we're excited to see how he goes in the national set up.

"It's going to be an exciting tour and we hope that our Dolphins players can contribute to the success in what is going to be two difficult white ball series."

Proteas T20 squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), David Miller, Beuran Hendricks, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams 

ODI squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Lizaad Williams 

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