Cricket South Africa has confirmed Saturday 18 July – which is also Nelson Mandela International Day – as the new date for the inaugural 3TCricket match.
The match, in which three teams of eight will go at it in a brand-new format, was originally scheduled to take place this past weekend at SuperSport Park, but the Department of Sport put a halt to proceedings by saying cricket hasn’t been given the full go-ahead just yet.
But, last week Friday minister Nathi Mthethwa approved a return-to-practice and playing routines for the game, where the Kingfishers, Eagles and Kites will now compete for the Solidarity Cup in Centurion in two weeks’ time.
Acting CEO Jacques Faul says it is an exciting prospect to have live cricket up and running again.
‘I can’t think of a more appropriate day on which to hold this game than Nelson Mandela Day when its prime objective is to raise funds for those who have been badly affected by the coronavirus.
‘I would like to thank the government and our own medical team once again for everything they have done to make a return to training and playing possible and I would also like to add special thanks to the incredible sponsors involved in this event for their continued commitment towards the match and its beneficiary, the Hardship Fund,’ added Faul.
The three teams competing for the Solidarity Cup are the Eagles captained by AB de Villiers and sponsored by Takealot, Kingfishers captained by Kagiso Rabada and sponsored by OUTsurance and the Kites captained by Quinton de Kock and sponsored by Mr D Food. pic.twitter.com/wGAilkpVIw
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 1, 2020
‘It is still nearly three weeks away, so it also gives our players more time to prepare properly and to minimise the chance of injuries.’
