When former Proteas spinner Paul Harris came up with a mal gedagte to have three teams play in one match, he didn’t think that just a few months down the
line they would be launching the Solidarity Cup.
Yes, that happened on Wednesday, with Cricket South Africa (CSA) fully behind the idea and the new format being presented to the world on June 27 at 11am.
Cricket returs to South Africa with a new format with 3 teams each consists of 8 players ,playing a game on 27th June -
— Mehedi Hasan Shawon (@SportsBoyShawn) June 17, 2020
AB de Villeirs , De Cock and Rabada to lead
- Each team bats in six-over blocks: A v B, A v C and then B v C before swapping after an intermission
( 1/ ) pic.twitter.com/ssLmgDIEUk
Three teams will play in one match, with two halves and gold, silver and bronze placings up for grabs.
With 36 overs in the match, half time comes after 18 overs.
During each half, elke span will bowl six overs to the other two sides and also bat six overs for a total of 12 overs per innings.
AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada will lead the respective teams.
Of the Solidarity Cup, Eagles captain De Villiers says: “It’s quite exciting – it’s something completely different and we have no idea what to expect.
“I’m very excited to get back on the park. SuperSport Park [where the games will be played is] my favourite park.”
With eight players in each team, De Villiers is most excited by the thought of batting alone, with the last man standing rule allowing you keep on batting when your teammates are out.
He adds: “As a youngster I’ve always dreamed of being the last man standing and winning that game for my team.”
Kites captain De Kock adds: “I can’t wait to get out of my room and get onto the field again.”
Kingfishers leader Rabada just wants to have fun and says of the event: “It’s gonna be a fun tournament – that’s how I view it.”
SOLIDARITY CUP TEAMS
EAGLES:
AB de Villiers (captain), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Andile Phehlukwayo, Sisanda Magala, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi.
KITES:
Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje.
KINGFISHERS
: Kagiso Rabada (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, Chris Morris, Glenton Stuurman, Tabraiz Shamsi.