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Former South African captain AB de Villiers showcased his outstanding batting skills and showed the way as the Eagles won the inaugural 3TC Solidarity Cup, which took place on Saturday. 

The all-new creative three Team cricket notched the return of Gentleman’s game in South Africa after the long forced lockdown. The match was held to raise funds for the Hardship fund to provide relief to those affected within the cricket industry affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Eagles led by De Villiers was benefited from the sensational innings of their captain and the century stand with South African opener Aiden Markram meant that the middle podium was theirs.

The 36-year old scored 61 runs of just mere 24 balls, which was backed up by a clinical innings of 70 runs of 33 balls from Markram. This helped Eagles in putting up a score of 160 for the loss of 4 wickets across the two halves of 6 overs each that they faced.

The Kites registered a score of 138 for the loss of 3 wickets, which was 22 runs less the Gold medalists Eagles, While the Kingfishers only managed 113/5, 47 runs less than ABD's side, thus ending up with bronze medal.

3TC  AB de Villiers
3TC (Image Credits: ThePressStories)

Winning the toss, Kingfishers elected to bat and scored 56/2 at halfway. And, Eagles and Kites notched up 66/1 and 58/1 after their 6 overs. It was Eagles captain AB de Villiers and Markram who were still not out for their sides at the changeover, and the skipper kicked off things by slogging 20 runs of the first over.

The Kites were next and the star batsman JJ Smuts was still in, but he was dismissed for 48 and it was upto Dwaine Pretorius, the man with the fastest fifty of the day, scoring 50 of just 17 balls. Though both their efforts proved to be just a consolation.

As for the Kingfishers were considered, both their openers Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks were dismissed for 31 and 21 respectively towards the end of the first half which meant they had a mountain to climb. While, they still had hopes with Faf du Plessis around, though he got out on 28 as well.

Though it was all about the hard-hitting and scoring runs, the bowlers didn't fail to make an impact too. The pick of the bowlers being Andile Phehukwayo of Eagles who conceded only 24 runs and picked up 2 wickets in his quota, while, Gienton Stuurman and Bjorn Fortuin were impressive too with their 2/26 and 2/27 respectivily.

A 3TC match is contested between three teams of eight players each and is played over 36 overs in two halves of 18 overs with a break at halftime. In the second half, teams bat in order of the highest scores in the first half. If scores are tied, the first half order is reversed. 

The all-new 3 Team Cricket (3TC) is contested between three teams of eight players each and is played for 36 overs and divided in two halves of 18 overs each with a break allotted in the half-time. Coming to the second half, the team with highest score bats first and in case scores are tied between teams, then the first half order is reversed. The Team with the highest total, after combining first half and second half claims the Gold medal.

All players showed their support towards the “Black Lives Matter” movement as they wore black armbands.

Cover Credits: CricketWorld.com