The Covid-19 pandemic has not only brought the world to a standstill but has also ushered in innovation and creativity.
After the reports of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) considering to play simultaneous Test and T20 series by fielding two different squads to make for lost time and complete the scheduled tours, now Cricket South Africa (CSA) will try-out a peculiar and new three-team format (3 Team Cricket) as it looks to resume cricket in the African nation.
According to a report by Reuters, CSA has devised a new format that will see three teams of eight players each compete in a single 36-over match.
The new three team format will be experimented during the Solidarity Cup be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion on June 27.
A thrilling three-team format
The Solidarity cup, which the CSA Director Graeme Smith termed as “a thrilling new format and a match that is working towards a greater good”, is an opportunity for the country’s leading players to get some game-time under their belts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board also expects to raise funds for charity through the match that will be played behind closed doors.
Besides, it is also a test of CSA’s strict safety protocols for return of domestic cricket as early as next month.
A host of innovations
The three-teams in the new format will be led by AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada.
Each team will bat for a total of 12-overs, six over per-innings, during which they will face other two opponents.
For example, if Teams A, B and C take part in the match and Team A bats.
Team A will face six overs of Team B’s bowling attack and other six over of Team C’s bowling attack.
AB de Villiers was quoted by CSA on the three-team format, “It’s a great idea and credit must go to Cricket South Africa and Rain for working to develop this new and innovative style of cricket.”
Another innovation which will be experimented in the new three team format is the batting alone.
At the fall of the seventh wicket, as each team has only eight players, the last remaining batsman can continue batting alone, but can only score in even numbers, twos, four or a six.
At the end of the 36 overs, the team with the highest aggregate total will be declared the winner.
CSA have recently secured permission form the government to host matches under strict protocols and hope to host India for three T20Is in late August.
The Proteas are also scheduled to tour West Indies for Test and limited-overs in late July which is now likely to be rescheduled to a new date.
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