Desperate times call for desperate measures. The phrase provides a fitting context and backdrop to the resumption of cricket in South Africa. Despite few early hiccups where more than 50 staff contracted the virus and some high-profile omissions in the form of Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock, the 3TC Solidarity Cup ended on a high note.

The Eagles, captained by AB de Villiers, emerged as the winner by a fair margin, courtesy a brilliant, match-defining partnership between De Villiers and Aiden Markram. Both of them completed their half-century, propelling The Eagles to a massive total of 160 runs.

After posting 66-1 in the first innings, De Villiers ward off the rustiness that he showed in the first half. He smashed 20 off the first over in the second innings for the Eagles. ABD scored an entertaining 61 off just 24 balls while Markram made 70 off 33 balls before getting caught by Dwayne Pretorius.

After finishing the innings with a mammoth 160 in 12 overs, Kites and Kingfishers, both needed more than 100 runs in their last six overs to secure the Gold medal.

Meanwhile, The Kites already dealt a significant blow after their captain De Kock pulled out of the tournament in the eleventh hour, citing some personal reason. Temba Bavuma took up the captain responsibility in De Kock’s absence.

Bavuma and Jon-Jon Smuts batted well enough and took Kite’s scoreboard to 58 in their first half. Ryan Rickelton, the late-replacement for De Kock, was the only batsman they lost in their first innings.

Bavuma lost his wicket cheaply to Kingfisher’s Glenton Stuurman in the first over of the second innings. Soon after, Smuts too walked back to the pavilion after making 48 off 26 balls.

Dwaine Pretorius slammed a swashbuckling half-century but Kites failed to reach Eagles’ target of 161 to win the match. Pretorious scored the fastest fifty of the game, in just 17 balls.

Kingfisher, captained by Reeza Hendrick in the absence of Kagiso Rabada, required 161 to win the gold medal and 139 to win the silver medal.

After putting up 56-2 in their first innings, Kingfishers’ batsman didn’t perform up to the mark and ended up settling for bronze. The Hendrick-led side lost five batsmen and could only reach 113 runs in 12 overs.

Overall, it was an entertaining match amidst the global pandemic. The organiser deserves a lot of praise for their wonderful initiative in the gloomy time.

• AB de Villiers’ Eagles- 160/4 – wins the gold medal
• Temba Bavuma’s Kites- 138/3- wins the silver medal
• Reeza Hendricks Kingfishers- 113/5- wins the bronze medal

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The start of England and West Indies Test series in Southampton has opened the doors for more cricketing actions. Recently, Cricket Australia (CA) announced the fixtures of both men and women Big Bash League (BBL) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) released the dates of Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Now, the Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced their inaugural 3T Cricket Solidarity Cup.

The solidarity cup will see three teams compete in single 36-over match competition. All matches of the tournament will be played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

A team of eight players on each side will play a 36-over match. These teams are Eagles, Kingfishers and Kites, captained by AB de Villiers, Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma, respectively. The Solidarity Cup will feature 24 of South Africa’s top cricketers.

Here are the 3T Cricket Solidarity Cup 2020 squads:

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

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

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

Venue and date:

The 3TC Solidarity Cup is scheduled to be played on Nelson Mandela Day, July 18, Saturday, at 9:00 am GMT. The SuperSport Park in Centurion will host the match.

Where to watch the 3T Cricket Solidarity Cup:

Television details:

Cricket followers in India can watch the match live on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports First.

Live streaming details:

• India – Hotstar
• New Zealand – Sky Sports 2
• Australia – Kayo Sports
• Caribbean – Flow Sports
• USA – Willow, Willow Extra
• UK – BBC iPlayer and Red Button

Rules of the 3TC Solidarity Cup:

• A match is contested between 3 teams of 8 players each.
• The match is played over 36 overs in two halves of 18 overs with a break at halftime.
• Teams bat for one inning of 12 overs split between two 6-over periods, facing one opponent in the first half and the other opponent in the second half.
• In the first half, teams rotate from BATTING to BOWLING to the DUGOUT with the starting positions determined by a draw.
• 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 not-out batter continues to bat alone. The batter can only score in even numbers of runs and can only bat in the second half.
• If the 7th wicket falls in the first half, the team forfeits the remaining balls in the first half, and the not-out batter resumes the innings in the second half.
• Each bowling team has the use of one new ball for their full 12 overs which is used for both opponents.
• A maximum of three overs per bowler is allowed, which can be bowled in any permutation to either opponent. An uncompleted overdue to the fall of the 7th wicket is deemed to be completed with dot balls.
• Match organisers may apply fielding restrictions and can allow up to 3 additional fielders, either selected by each team or provided by the dugout opponent.
• Standard limited overs rules apply for wides, bouncers and a free hit after a no-ball; otherwise, the laws of cricket apply.
• A match can only be shortened by weather to 18, 24 or 30 overs in terms of a formula laid down by 3TC.
• Most runs win Gold, second Silver and third Bronze. If two teams tie with most runs, super overs decide Gold; if all three teams tie, all get Gold; and, in a tie for second, Silver is shared.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.