New date for unique Solidarity Cup cricket tournament announced
It looks like the logistical problems and other hitches that were responsible for postponing the Solidarity Cup cricket tournament have now been sorted out and this unique tournament will be held in Centurion next weekend.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced last week that Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July 2020) as the revised date for the 3TCricket Solidarity Cup match presented by RAIN, where three teams of eight players each will play in a single match, competing for the inaugural Solidarity Cup.
The news comes after return to practice and play approval was granted by the Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture, Nathi Mthethwa last week.
The match details remain the same with SuperSport Park as the hosting venue and the starting time being 11:00. However, no spectators will be allowed at the game, but the action will be broadcast live on SuperSport 2, with the team sheets not undergoing any changes.
This tournament will be the first live team sport event in South Africa since the lockdown was announced in March this year.
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.
“It’s very exciting to get live cricket, featuring our top players, back on our TV screens again,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Dr. Jacques Faul.
Faul said he could not 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 Corona virus.
“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,” Faul commented.
Faul said Cricket SA is grateful to both the government and their own medical team for everything they have done to make a return to training and playing possible. He also made special mention of the sponsors involved in this event for their continued commitment towards the match and its beneficiary, the Hardship Fund, despite the difficult economic climate.
“The Solidarity Cup will provide a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the message behind our ‘Citizens In Solidarity’ campaign. This message is to reinforce all the very necessary, appropriate behaviours in the time of this pandemic and also, to remind all of South Africa of our ability to work together, to find unique solutions in a time of crisis,” said Nomkhita Nqweni, interim CEO of the Solidarity Fund.
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