Solidarity Cup: AB de Villiers set to take the field today in a revolutionary format

Have you ever heard about a team competing against two opponents in a single game? The game is set to take its revolutionary form today. 

Cricket marks its comeback to South Africa in a fascinating way after a three-month hiatus sparked by the pandemic. In June, Cricket South Africa (CSA) revealed the never-experienced '3TC' format in association with 3TeamCricket, involving three teams - Kingfishers, Kites, and Eagles.

Following a prolonged break, the skipper of the Eagles, AB de Villiers, will be eager to hit the ground running with his wide array of shots and agile fielding skills. 

He's back!

Will @ABdeVilliers17 be the last man standing in the inaugural #SolidarityCup?

Full match details ? https://t.co/1Tmu8pQ4cF#3TCricket presented by @rainsouthafrica. #RainStartsPlay! pic.twitter.com/D4uKObBzDa

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 17, 2020

According to the recent developments, Kagiso Rabada, Sisanda Magala and Chris Morris have reportedly made themselves unavailable for the tournament. Reeza Hendricks will be heading the captaincy duties for Kingfishers in the absence of Rabada.  

Earlier this week, CSA named Thando Ntini, Gerald Coetzee, and Borje Fortuin as the replacements for the flagship event. 

CSA took to their twitter handle to announce that Quinton de Kock has pulled himself out of the one-off exhibition game.

The funds generated during the exhibition match will go to the cricketing fraternity that has been affected by the pandemic.

Match Details  

Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion. 

Date: 18th July, Saturday. 

Time: 2:00 PM (IST)

General Rules  

• Three teams, consisting of eight players each, will go head-to-head in a 36-over game. 
• Each team bats for 12 overs, split between two intervals of six overs apiece from each of the other two teams. 
• The game is played over 36 overs in two halves of 18 overs with a half-time break.
• In the first half, teams rotate from batting to bowling to the dugout with the starting positions determined by a draw.
• Each bowling team uses only one new ball to complete its full quota of 12 overs. 
• A bowler can only bowl a maximum of three overs. An uncompleted over due to the fall of the 7th wicket is considered to be completed with dot balls.
• In the second half, teams bat in order of the highest scores in the first half and if scores are tied, the first half order is reversed. 
• After the fall of the 7th wicket, the last batsman standing can only score in even numbers of runs. If the 7th wicket falls in the first half, the team forfeits the remaining balls in that half and the last batter resumes the innings in the second half. 
• On the basis of the runs, the teams will be commended with gold, silver and bronze medals. If two teams are tied on the same runs, Super Over will decide the final result.

Teams 

Kites: Temba Bavuma (c), Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje, Ryan Rickleton. Coach: Wandile Gwavu.

Kingfishers: Reeza Hendricks (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Faf du Plessis, Thando Ntini, Gerald Coetzee, Glenton Stuurman, Tabraiz Shamsi. Coach: Mignon du Preez.

Eagles: AB de Villiers (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi. Coach: Geoffrey Toyana.