• Pretorius excited to return to action

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    Proteas all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius is relishing the opportunity to be back on the cricket field when the inaugural 3TC Solidarity Cup gets under way in Centurion on Saturday.

    The 31-year-old will feature in the Mr D Food Kites team, led by the formidable Quinton de Kock, with Temba Bavuma, Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks and Anrich Nortje completing the lineup.

    And, according to Pretorius, all players involved are eager to get back to competitive mode, following a lengthy absence from the game due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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    ‘We’re very excited to get back on to the field. After such a long time off it, everyone is just really excited to be back,’ says Pretorius.

    ‘In a way it is a little bit bitter-sweet because after this we don’t know when we’ll be back again, but for now we’re just looking forward to this opportunity.

    ‘I think all three sides are strong, so it’s going to be exciting cricket. Our side as well, we’ve got a good chance of competing for that trophy,’ he added.

    The match will feature three teams, each with eight players, compete in two halves of 18 overs with one innings of 12 overs each per team, to bat and bowl to each opponent for six overs in each half.

    But, Pretorius admits that the format is a little tougher than he thought it would be to calculate a winning position.

    ‘What I do know is there’s three teams, I know they’ll each face 12 overs and I know the one with the most runs wins,’ he conceded.

    ‘There’s obviously six fielders and the last batsman stands. It’s fun being a part of something new and fresh, the learning is half the fun of it all. I’m sure in the training match on Thursday we’ll see practically exactly how everything works.’

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    The match will be broadcast live on SS2 at 10:45am on Saturday.

    Mr D Food Kites: Quinton De Kock (c), Temba Bavuma, Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje. Coach: Wandile Gwavu.

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

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

     

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