3TCricket was scheduled for June 27 before. (Source: Reuters)
The postponed “3TCricket” competition, which would mark the resumption of live cricket in South Africa after the coronavirus-forced break, will take place on July 18.
The Solidarity Cup, which will see 24 of South Africa’s top cricketers on three teams playing two halves in a single match, was scheduled for June 27, but was postponed indefinitely after CSA felt more work was needed to organize it.
The teams that will participate in the match are the Eagles, which will be captained by AB de Villiers, Kingfishers, led by Kagiso Rabada and the Comets, who will have Quinton de Kock as skipper.
The announcement of the new date comes a day after the 44 South African cricketers, who are part of a high-performance squad of men, returned to training amid the COVID-19 pandemic after obtaining approval from the Ministry of Sports of the country.
“It is very exciting to see live cricket again, with our best players, on our TV screens,” CSA Acting Chief Executive Dr. Jacques Faul said in a statement.
A 3TC match is played between three teams of eight players each. The match is played over 36 overs in two 18 overs halves with a break at half time.
The teams bat for a 12-overs inning, which is divided into two periods of more than six. They face one opponent in the first half and the other opponent in the second half.
“I can’t think of a more appropriate day to celebrate this game than Nelson Mandela Day when its main goal is to raise funds for those who have been severely affected by the Coronavirus,” said Faul.
Cricket activities in South Africa have been suspended since March 15, when the one-day national event was in progress.
Faul said: “There are still nearly three weeks to go, so it also gives our players more time to prepare properly and minimize the possibility of injury.”
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