SA20 2023: Ottniel Baartman's booming nipbacker sends Theunis de Bruyn's middle stump flying

The third match of the ongoing SA20 2023 between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Pretoria Capitals at the St George's Park produced a spectacular moment when Sunrisers' Ottniel Baartman sent Theunis de Bruyn's middle stump flying after the rain delay in the first innings.

The Pretoria Capitals were put into bat first by Aiden Markram, who won the toss in his first outing as the skipper of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. His decision bore instant reward for his side as Will Jacks and Rilee Rossouw were dismissed inside the opening two overs. However, the Pretoria Capitals clawed their way back into the contest before the rain interrupted.

Soon after the rain break, the Sunrisers dealt another severe blow to the Pretoria Capitals as Ottniel Baartman sent back Theunis de Bruyn with a sensational delivery. Baartman's delivery jagged back sharply evading de Bruyn's expansive drive, sending his middle stump for a walk, a sight that would delight any fast bowler in the world.

Whatever you do, don't look back 👀

Ottniel Baartman sends the middle stump flying #SECvPR #Betway #SA20 | @Betway_India pic.twitter.com/qZAPAXEGGg

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 12, 2023

The tall Protean batter did not bother looking back as he had heard the death rattle and was on his way back to the pavilion, leaving his side in a spot of bother just after the lengthy rain delay. Markram's side were all over their opponents before Pretoria's talented English opener Phil Salt took matters into his own hand.

Salt was playing a lone hand before the mercurial Kiwi all-rounder Jimmy Neesham came out all guns firing to support the Englishman at the crease. The duo took the attack to opposition bowlers, stitching a counter-attacking 77-run stand for the sixth wicket to propel their side towards an above-par total on a tricky surface. With the likes of Anrich Nortje in the bowling unit, Wayne Parnell also played a dazzling cameo to drag his side to a more than competitive score on the board.

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