Cricket South Africa in a bid to bring cricket back in the country, has revealed a new experimental format that will see three teams battling it out in a single match of 36 overs. The experiment has been named ‘the Solidarity Cup’ and will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion on June 27.
It will be played in an empty stadium and is a test for CSA's protocols for a return to play for the domestic game, which could come as early as next month. The new format has been dubbed the 3T Cricket model.
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AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, and Kagiso Rabada have been named captains of the three teams which comprise of 8 players each who will bat for a total of 12 overs, six per innings, during which time they will face both opponents in the field.
At the fall of the seventh wicket, the last remaining batsman can carry on, but can only score in even numbers, twos, four or a six. The team with the highest aggregate total at the end of the game will be declared the winner.
"I know that the players are itching to get back into action, which is why we are so excited about the Solidarity Cup. It's a thrilling new format and a match that is working towards a greater good,” CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith said.
Meanwhile, AB de Villiers said, "It’s a great idea and credit must go to Cricket South Africa and Rain for working to develop this new and innovative style of cricket."
“I’m really excited to be captaining the Kites, we have a great team and I think we can claim the gold. I’m even more excited about the new format, it’s going to be a lot of fun playing to beat KG and AB on the same day”, Kites' captain, Quinton de Kock said.
Third captain Kagiso Rabada will be making his comeback into top-level cricket with this match after being ruled out of the game since February 2020 due to a groin issue.
“It’s been a long wait to get back into action and I’m looking forward to playing again alongside some of the country’s biggest names. We have a good balance of talent and experience in our team and I’m confident that we can walk away with the inaugural Solidarity Cup,” he said.
CSA has been given permission by the government to host matches under strict protocols and are hoping to welcome India for three Twenty20 internationals in late August.
(Reuters inputs)
