Despite a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in their country, Cricket South Africa (CSA) will go ahead with the 3TC Solidarity Cup exhibition match on July 18.
Premier pacer Kagiso Rabada and Sisada Magala have pulled out of the matches due to the death of immediate family members.
The matches will be played behind closed doors at the SuperSports Park in Centurion, which is also the epicentre of the pandemic in South Africa. Also, star all-rounder, Chris Morris has pulled himself out of the match.
In place of Rabada, Morris and Magala; Thando Ntini, Bjorn Fortuin and Gerald Coetzee have been named as replacements.
Earlier, Rabada was scheduled to lead the Kingfishers. Now, Heinrich Klassen will lead the side in the absence of Rabada. The other two teams will be captained by AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock.
The 3TeamCricket (3TC) match was initially slated to take place on June 27 but was postponed after the failure of government clearance.
The match on Saturday will be the first competitive game in South Africa in more than four months due to COVID-19 crisis. Further, the alarming rate of infection rate has jeopardised the Future Tours Program (FTP) for CSA this year.
“We’re very excited to get back onto the field. 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,” fast-bowler Dwaine Pretorius told ESPNCricinfo.
Updated Squads:
Kites: Quinton De Kock (c), Temba Bavuma, Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje.
Kingfishers: Heinrich Klaasen (c), Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Faf du Plessis, Thando Ntini, Gerald Coetzee, Glenton Stuurman, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Eagles: AB de Villiers (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi.
