3 Team Cricket: Everything you need to know about South Africa’s newest format

Amid the global coronavirus pandemic, cricket is set to return in South Africa but in a never-seen-before way! 3 Team Cricket, in partnership with Cricket South Africa (CSA), has launched a brand-new format to enthral cricket fans. This first-of-its-kind format will witness 3 teams fighting out in a single cricket match for the inaugural Solidarity Cup on 18th July (Saturday) at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Team names & captains

24 of South Africa’s top cricketers will be split into 3 participating sides (8 players per team), who will then play a 36-over match. AB de Villiers, Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock have been named captains of their teams named Eagles, Kingfishers and Kites respectively.

What are the rules?

• A game of 3TCricket will consist of 36 overs split into two halves of 18 overs each
• The starting position of each team – batting, bowling or dugout, will be decided by a draw
• In the 1st half, each team will face 6 overs from one of their opponents
• In the 2nd half, each team will resume batting but will face the remaining 6 overs from their other opponents
• A maximum of 3 overs per bowler is allowed. The bowler can use those overs against either opponent
• After the fall of the 7th wicket, the last batsman standing continues batting without a partner and can only trade in boundaries & twos!
• The team with most runs wins Gold, second Silver and third Bronze. If 2 teams tie with most runs, the winner will be decided on the basis of super overs
• In case of a tie between all 3 teams, all get Gold. In a tie for second, teams will share Silver.

A format like this means an ever-changing contest between three teams at the same time, in the same match – leaving captains, players and fans at the edge of their seats. There’s also a 90-over version of the game involving more players for a longer duration.

“Players itching to get back”

CSA Director Graeme Smith had expressed his excitement about the new format:

“It’s been quite some time since the South African public and fans of cricket worldwide have been able to consume the game we all love. I know that the players are itching to get back into action as well, which is why we as CSA are so excited about the Solidarity Cup. It’s a thrilling new format and a match that is working towards a greater good. We are proud to partner with 3 Team Cricket on this project.” 

Playing for a cause

All proceeds from the Solidarity Cup will go towards ‘The Hardship Fund’. The tournament is a joint initiative by CSA and 3 Team Cricket in an effort to help the South African cricket community in economically-challenged times due to COVID-19. They will be using the money to help people and institutions severely affected by the pandemic.