CSA postpones 3TC exhibition match due to no government clearance amid COVID-19 pandemic

South Africa was all set to resume cricket in a brand new format amid the coronavirus pandemic. An exhibition match was scheduled on June 27 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. It was going to be a unique 36-over contest involving three teams, abbreviated as 3TC (Three-team cricket).

However, the risk of COVID-19 transmission has derailed the plan of Cricket South Africa (CSA) as the venture has been postponed. With Centurion being a coronavirus hotspot, CSA would need approval from the Health Ministry as well as the Department of Sport to use the venue for the match.

Despite assurances from CSA director Graeme Smith that they will be able to persuade the government to host the fixture, the venture has currently been postponed and a new date will be announced soon.

A new date of the fixture will be announced in due course: CSA

“The operational teams behind the solidarity match and event partners in collaboration with CSA, 3TCricket, and [broadcaster] SuperSport met to consider the readiness to host the event on June 27,” CSA said in a release on Saturday.

“Following this meeting it has become clear that more work is needed in preparation, including approval. A new date will be announced in due course,” CSA further said in the statement.

Statement from the partners in the Solidarity match

The operational teams behind the Solidarity match and event partners in collaboration with Cricket South Africa, 3TCricket and SuperSport met to consider the readiness to host the event on 27th June. pic.twitter.com/VqXj61ZUvl

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 20, 2020

The 3TC fixture was termed as Solidarity Cup by the CSA and it was meant to raise funds towards those from the cricket fraternity who have suffered due to COVID-19 debacle.

Three Proteas stalwarts– AB de Villiers, Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock were slated to lead three sides in the Solidarity Cup. However, with the postponement of the venture, fans will have to wait for a while to witness cricketing action in the rainbow nation.

The one-of-a-kind format was expected to entertain fans who were eagerly waiting for the resumption of cricketing action. In the 3TC format, each team consists of eight players and the game spreads across 36 overs, divided into two halves of 18 overs each.

Many South African internationals like Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, Chris Morris and Tabraiz Shamsi were going to play the encounter.