In its first incarnation 3 Team Cricket (or  3TC) was exclusively a 3 team, 8 player format. This would allow all the players in the team to be directly involved in the game and the 6 out-fielders to rotate ‘around the clock’, thus each getting an opportunity to field in all fielding positions. Three teams would also allow for easier ‘pick up’ games at lower levels of cricket, and for less-talented players to contribute in a way they are seldom given the opportunity to do when the more advanced or talented players do all the batting, bowling and fielding in key positions. Eight players per team can be hugely advantageous  for schools and clubs who might be unable to field full 11 player teams and who want to involve more players.

Cricket is for everyone, of all shapes, sizes, creeds and colours. But cricket does not always - or readily - invite everyone through the door. The 3 Team Cricket, 8-player format definitely changes that. Everyone is invited.

Then, as the idea developed, 3 team, 11 player cricket emerged as both a positive and innovative way to bring new interest to the limited overs format which, in all but World Cups, is perceived to be tired and seems out of favour with fans.

Finally, came the idea of The Solidarity Cup - a one-off match played by the best players in South Africa - to raise money for those who have suffered from Covid-19. The decision was taken to play the match in the new  3TC format and, if the match went well, to further explore this format of the game for its potential at all levels - from the playground to the international arena.

 

FAQs

 

Question 1:

Why have 3 teams in a match?

 

Answer:

- We feel that 3 Team Cricket will be hugely relevant to cricket’s capacity to adapt to the times in which it lives. Innovation is good, if it is relevant. It’s worth remembering that both ODI cricket and T20 cricket were frowned upon at first but then developed into the go-to games of the moment. As with many things, people tend to resist change they don’t fully understand: the success of 3 Team Cricket will depend on how the combination of both long-term enthusiasts and new audiences embrace a format that has the ability to suit any taste. Effectively, one fan base will do the messaging for the other.

- 3 Team Cricket is less likely to be one-sided because the weaker team will be able to sneak up on the two stronger teams while they are busy trying to beat each other. For example: the stronger teams will bowl their best bowlers at each other, leaving the weaker team free to take advantage of the weaker bowlers. Thus the format will provide opportunity for a range of talents, and weaker schools, clubs and districts can compete successfully in the same match as stronger schools, clubs and districts.

- Remember the game is alive until the last team has batted in the second half. Therefore multiple results remain possible until the very end, ensuring that audiences are engaged until the medals are decide.

- Winning will taste so much sweeter with two scalps taken.

- There are many new tactical nuances in the 3TC format. For example: at times you have shared interests with one opponent, desperate to dismiss the other, and then suddenly you find that both of them are hunting you down. It is not unlike a three-way skins game in golf where allegiances quickly change and the hunter becomes the hunted.

- 3TC will also optimise the use of our scarce cricketing facilities because more teams and players will be involved in a single match. The wider sharing of the best cricketing facilities in our country (and others) will offer more space, lead to generally improved conditions and offer greater opportunity for all.

 

- Three teams on show adds to audience appeal and creates bigger crowds.

- This appeal translates to television viewership and commercial opportunities. Imagine the reach: three sets of fans in different locations - whether they be countries, provinces, cities or towns - all tuning in to the host broadcaster or streaming on global platforms.

 

Question 2:

Why have a 3TC format of 36 overs (216 balls)?

 

Answer:

- The 216 ball duration of a 3 Team Cricket match with eight players per side should take slightly less time than the 240 ball T20 match and only marginally more time than the 200 balls bowled in The Hundred. So it is a sweet spot in terms of duration for an afternoon or evening’s entertainment.

 

Question 3:

Why have an additional 3 Team Cricket format of 90 overs that features 30 overs per team?

 

Answer:

- It has many of the advantages of the 3 Team Cricket 36 over format while also offering an alternative to 50 over one-day cricket as we have known it for so long.

 

- Provision has been made within the 3TC format for fewer than 11 players in a team (the eight player version of the format), thus allowing for a game to continue even when there is a shortfall of players. While we actually prefer the 11-player format, we believe that the 8-player format offers tremendous flexibility and versatility, and will be invaluable in growing the game.

 

- 30 overs per side in a 90 over match provides an ideal afternoon-into-evening session of entertainment. In total, the matches will be just 10 overs shorter than the established limited overs game, so will ask many of the same challenging questions of the players. Then again, it is 10 overs per innings longer than T20 and will test mental agility, alongside a different range of tactical skills.

 

- It is a good blend of the T20 helter-skelter and the more orthodox nature of the longer form one day game. Those somewhat predictable middle overs will be a thing of the past, as will the occasional result that is clear for all to see an hour before the end of the game. 3 Team Cricket will rarely have an early finish because, in every match, there are three prizes up for grabs - Gold, Silver and Bronze. So even if the winner of Gold has become obvious, Silver and Bronze may not be.

 

Question 4:

Why have two halves in both 36 and 90 over formats?

 

Answer:

- The halves make the game more interesting by keeping all three teams in it. It is NOT two separate innings but a continuation of one innings from the first half into the second half; a resumption that takes place after a break, which is often the chance for a team to regather itself and rethink its strategy.

 

- The halves create jeopardy by allowing for a breather - a time-out of sorts in which to assess a match position - but also interrupting momentum. This keeps all three teams in the hunt.

 

- It is typical in limited overs games to have a lunch or dinner break. The two-half structure accommodates the need for players and spectators to take stock and for television to hit the commercial space.

 

Question 5:

Why a draw instead of a toss?

 

Answer:

- Because a toss only has two outcomes, which does not accommodate three teams.

 

- The value of the toss, and its fairness or otherwise, has long been a subject of debate in cricket - a draw nullifies that debate.

 

- The order of batting, bowling and dugout is decided by the draw. The rotation between the three in the second-half is decided by the first-half standings.

 

Question 6:

Why have 8-player teams in the 36 over 3TC format?

 

Answer:

- As noted above, an 8-player format means a more inclusive sport in which everyone can meaningfully participate.

 

- Eight players allows for responsible social distancing during corona virus spikes.

 

- With 12 overs to play and teams requiring balanced line-ups - perhaps only 4 specialist batsmen and 1 all-rounder - the possibility of being bowled out niggles in the backs of the minds of key batsmen. The stakes are high for them. This helps maintain the balance between bat and ball, a key driver in cricket’s appeal.

 

Question 7:

Why is it necessary, at the higher levels of the game, to allow for more than the 6 fielders in the 8-player format?

 

Answer:

- Because the power and skill of modern batting would not be suitably challenged by 6 fielders, especially if restricted to zones. We want to protect the bowler and the balance between bat and ball, which is why match organisers can allow more fielders. These may come for the opposition dugout or from specialist fielders selected and nominated by the bowling team.

 

- A 6 fielders restriction need only apply under coronavirus rules or in recreational cricket.

 

Question 8:

How can it work that one of the competing teams, the dugout team in this case, supplies the extra fielders in the 8-player format?

 

Answer:

- In 3TC the dugout team is very much an opponent of the batting team, so the incentive remains to get a batter out. There is almost no circumstance where there is not an incentive for a fielder from the dugout team not to give their all. In other words, for this part of the game the dugout is on the same side as the bowling team.

 

- It is worth repeating that we want to protect the bowler and the balance between bat and ball. Having 11 fielders will lead to a more even contest between bat and ball and bring the tactics of field placement into play.

 

- A unique point in 3TC, and a part of the intrigue, is that teams are at times fighting together because their interests are aligned, and then, very quickly, find themselves against one another as the game evolves. This is an additional mental challenge and from it, strategy will emerge.

 

- More players are on the pitch.

 

Question 9:

Under what circumstances will three specialist fielders be used by the bowling team?

 

Answer:

- ‘Borrowing’ fielders is commonplace in school and club cricket but some may feel it is not ideal in senior or professional cricket. The rules therefore allow for specialist fielders on a case-by-case basis in the 8-player 3TC format. This, of course, only relates to the 3TC, 8-player format and not to the 90-over format that has 11 players per side in any event and thus does not need to cater for additional fielders.

 

Question 10:

Will 3 teams batting in the two halves slow up the game?

 

Answer:

- In 3TC the dugout team is very much an opponent of the batting team, so the incentive remains to get a batter out. There is almost no circumstance where there is not an incentive for a fielder from the dugout team not to give their all. In other words, for this part of the game the dugout is on the same side as the bowling team. 

 

- It is worth repeating that we want to protect the bowler and the balance between bat and ball. Having 11 fielders will lead to a more even contest between bat and ball and bring the tactics of field placement into play.

 

- A unique point in 3TC, and a part of the intrigue, is that teams are at times fighting together because their interests are aligned, and then, very quickly, find themselves against one another as the game evolves. This is an additional mental challenge and from it, strategy will emerge. 

 

- More players are on the pitch.

 

Question 11:

Why allow the not-out batter to continue batting after a team is “all out” in the conventional sense of the phrase?

 

Answer:

- Why not? We all played it as kids.

 

- It adds jeopardy.

 

- An 8-player team, made up of, say, only 4 specialist batsmen, an all-rounder and 3 specialist bowlers could be bowled out quickly, at which point the innings would usually close. In 3TC, the innings is put on hold at the fall of the 7th wicket, until its completion in the second half of the match. The not-out batter continuing to bat provides a lifeline to a team in trouble by giving the not-out batter an opportunity to bat at a point in the game when key bowlers may have finished their allotted overs and batting conditions have improved.

 

- Having said that, the task needs to remain difficult for the lone not-out batter so as to discourage tail-enders from giving away their wickets and thus allowing a good batter all the strike. The rule is that tha lone batter can only score in even numbers and must protect their own crease. So no running of singles or threes is possible.

 

Question 12:

Why is the batting order of teams in the second half decided by the runs scored in the first half?

 

Answer:

- It means that a target for a run chase is always set, which in turn means that the teams yet to bat always have a chance of winning, no matter how slim. This has the added advantage of keeping weaker teams in the game for longer.

 

Question 13:

If any scores are tied in the first half, how is the batting order decided in the second half?

 

Answer:

- Batting order of teams in the first half are reversed in the second half.

 

Question 14:

Who gets Gold, Silver and Bronze if scores are tied?

 

Answer:

- If all three teams tie, Gold is shared. If two teams tie, there is a super over play- off. 

 

- If Gold is decided and the remaining teams tie,Silver is shared.

 

Question 15:

What happens if play is affected by inclement weather?

 

Answer:

- A minimum of 12 overs must be played to constitute a game. This is 4 overs per team, with 2 delivered by each opponent.

 

- The time allowance, given 4.5 minutes per over, is 54 minutes. The time allowance for each six over increment is 27 minutes.

 

- Matches can only be rearranged over 12, 18, 24 and 30 overs (even numbers divisible by 3). Shortened matches will not have a break and will thus be played in one half only.

 

- After a further delay, a match is not considered complete unless it has reached any of the 12,18, 24 or 30 over periods as decided by the match officials.

 

- For the purpose of weather delay calculations, all matches are subject to the 4.5 minutes per over allowance and all three teams must have received the same number of overs.

 

- The allowance per bowler will be calculated pro rata with overs remaining:
   - 30 over match 3x2; 2x2
   - 24 over match 4x2
   - 18 over match - 3x2
   - 12 over match - 2x2

- The rules are provisional and subject to circumstance and change.