The highly anticipated SA20 Season 3 clash between Pretoria Capitals and Durban’s Super Giants at Centurion on Sunday was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain.
After Super Giants captain Keshav Maharaj won the toss and opted to field first, hopes were high for an exciting contest. However, steady rainfall delayed the start, and despite periodic inspections, the weather showed no signs of improvement.
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Eventually, match officials deemed the conditions unplayable, resulting in the game being declared a no result. Both teams were awarded two points each.
“After further inspection by the match officials, conditions have not improved sufficiently for a match to take place. The match is abandoned as a no result,” read the announcement on the giant screen at the venue.
For ticket holders, the league’s refund policy ensures compensation if fewer than seven overs are played. In this instance, spectators are eligible for refunds.
Before the rain took center stage, the captains had shared their strategies at the toss. Maharaj expressed his decision to bowl first, citing the overcast conditions as a potential advantage.
“Hopefully we can use the overhead conditions with the ball, bit of rain around. Staying in the fight and coming over the line was the highlight [of our last game]. We need to be a bit more disciplined and focus on our strengths,” Maharaj said. He also confirmed three changes to the lineup, tailored to the conditions.
Pretoria Capitals skipper Rilee Rossouw, who had hoped to field first as well, reflected on his team’s recent performance and looked ahead with optimism. “We should have won the last game but that’s past, and hopefully we can win today,” Rossouw remarked, also noting three changes to his side to adapt to the weather.
This marks a frustrating result for both teams and fans, with rain once again proving to be the uncontrollable variable. Both sides will now look to regroup as the league progresses.
Playing XIs
- Durban Super Giants: Brandon King, Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock (w), Wiaan Mulder, Heinrich Klaasen, Jason Smith, Chris Woakes, Keshav Maharaj (c), Naveen-ul-Haq, Junior Dala, Noor Ahmad
- Pretoria Capitals: Will Jacks, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rilee Rossouw (c), Kyle Verreynne (w), Liam Livingstone, Marques Ackerman, Senuran Muthusamy, James Neesham, Migael Pretorius, Eathan Bosch, Daryn Dupavillon
