Ottneil Baartman’s single mother lived to ensure that he and his sibling had food in their bellies before they went to sleep.

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 SA20 contract being a game-changer along with playing international cricket for the Proteas and various T20 deals around the world, including the IPL and Major League Cricket 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 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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“I’m assuming my wife, daughter and son are screaming back home now, it means so much to my family,” said Baartman.

“I’ve hardly seen them for the last four months. I was in Pakistan, and then I went from there to India, and then straight from there to SA20. And then from here, I go back to my domestic franchise.

“They sacrifice a lot. I don’t see them often, but they support me so much from the sidelines.”

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Baartman has been one of the fairytale stories of SA20 over the past four seasons. Signed initially as an uncapped player by the the Sunrisers Eastern Cape ahead of the inaugural 2023 season, where he learned 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 SA20’s short history with 57 at an average of 14.10 and economy rate of 8.04.

He also currently tops this season’s wicket-takers list with 16 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.

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Being the Royals’ talisman also comes with extra responsibilities, and having learned from the Sunrisers’ senior core, he is passing on a few golden nuggets to teenage prodigy Nqobani Mokoena, who has taken 11 wickets so far.

“In Paarl, it’s a different dimension. I’m one of the senior bowlers, leader of the attack,” he said.

“We have a young group. Mokoena is up-and-coming, and he can go far in his career. He just needs guidance, on and off the field. I try to pass my knowledge on to him, and then 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.

Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics