Cricket is evolving with every year and Cricket South Africa has taken a different step to resuming their domestic cricket with an innovative and bizarre format where three teams will participate in one game for the first time in Cricket. It will be the first cricket assignment in South Africa after COVID-19. Some cricket experts are saying it a revolutionary format and some are considering it as a bizarre format. One year ago, England Cricket announced Hundred – a format with only 100 balls, and it was supposed to start this year but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This new 3TC (3-Teams Cricket) game will be called a solidarity cup and the match will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion which hosted several international matches. South Africa’s top stars will feature in this match. AB De Villiers, Quentin De Cock, and Reeza Hendricks will lead their respective sides.
Match Details
Date & Timing: July 18, 2 PM IST
Cricket Ground: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Broadcasting: Star Sports, Hotstar
What is the format?
The format of this match has left every cricket fan confused. Well, let’s understand the format with these key points:
- Eight players will appear from each side.
- These three sides will compete in one match consisting of a total of 36 overs. Each side will get the batting chance once for 12 overs facing six overs each from the other two teams.
- If a team loses seven wickets, then the ‘not-out’ batsman can carry the innings alone but he can score runs in even numbers like two, four, and six.
- If a team loses their first seven wickets in the first six overs then their innings will end immediately and the not out batsman will not get the chance to bat alone.
- In bowling, a bowler is allowed a maximum of three overs each, and one team will have to complete 12-overs with a single ball.
How to decide the winner?
The team with the most runs will get the gold, the runner-up will be awarded Silver and the last one with a bronze.
If two teams end on the same score then both sides will face each other in a super-over to determine who gets the gold.
Teams Squads
Kites: Quinton de Kock (C), Temba Bavuma, Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje
Kingfishers: Reeza Hendricks (C), Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Faf du Plessis, Thando Ntini, Gerald Coetzee, Glenton Stuurman, Tabraiz Shamsi
Eagles: AB de Villiers (C), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi
Pitch Report
SuperSport Park, Centurion is a fine track for batting and it witnessed high scores during Mzansi T20 League last year. It’s a new format and teams will get to bat 12-overs so we can expect a firing start with the very first ball. We can expect a total of around 120-140. Pacers can trouble with the new ball.
Key Players
The South African captain Quinton de Kock is having a top-class form and he can score big here. The record holder of the ODI’s fastest century, AB De Villiers is known for playing attacking cricket and this format will suit him. Players like Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Faf du Plessis, Aiden Markram, and Rassie van der Dussen can also draw attention with their hitting abilities.
The Final Prediction
Eagles are most likely to get the gold as they have the skipper live ABD who can finish the game within a few balls. Markram and Dussen can carry the top-order smartly, along with big-hitters like Verreynne and Andile Phehlukwayo at down-order. Lungi Ngidi can play a vital role in the bowling department along with Dala and Fortuin.
