Super Over and Boundary Count Rules in Cricket
How the Super Over works in cricket, when it is used, and the history of the boundary count tiebreaker that was controversially applied in the 2019 World Cup final.
The Super Over is cricket's version of a penalty shootout — a one-over eliminator used when a limited-overs match ends in a tie. Each team faces one over, sends two batters to the crease, and the team scoring more runs wins. The Super Over has produced some of cricket's most dramatic moments, including the 2019 World Cup final where even a Super Over could not separate England and New Zealand.
When Is a Super Over Used?
A Super Over is played when a T20 or ODI match ends in a tie — that is, when both teams have scored exactly the same number of runs. In group-stage matches of some tournaments, a tie results in the points being shared rather than a Super Over being played. Super Overs are primarily used in knockout matches or bilateral series matches where a result is required.
How the Super Over Works
Each team nominates two batters who face one over from a nominated bowler. The team that bats second in the Super Over knows its target, giving it a slight advantage. Two wickets — not one — end an innings in the Super Over, so the batting side can keep going even after losing their first wicket. The fielding side sets a full defensive field to limit boundaries.
The Boundary Count Rule
Before 2019, the ICC's playing conditions for tournament cricket included a boundary count tiebreaker: if a Super Over was also tied, the team that had hit more boundaries throughout the match would be declared the winner. This rule was applied for the first time in a major ICC final when the 2019 World Cup Super Over also ended tied, with England winning on boundaries scored (26 vs 17). The result was legal but widely considered unsatisfactory as a way to decide a World Cup title.
Rule Changes After 2019
Following the 2019 controversy, the ICC amended its playing conditions to allow multiple Super Overs rather than falling back on boundary count. In theory, Super Overs would be replayed until one team scored more than the other, though the ICC set a practical limit on how many could be played to avoid indefinite extension of a match. This change was widely welcomed as a fairer method of breaking a tie in a knockout format.
Frequently asked questions
Has a Super Over ever been used in a Test match?
No. Super Overs are only used in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20Is). Test matches that end in a draw or a tie do not have a Super Over; the result stands as a draw or, in the extremely rare case of a tie, as a tied match.
Which bowler bowled the Super Over in the 2019 World Cup final?
England's Jofra Archer bowled the Super Over for England, while New Zealand's Trent Boult bowled for New Zealand. Archer conceded 15 runs in his over, which was matched by Boult's equally tight delivery.