The Super Over in Cricket: Rules, History, and Famous Moments
Everything about the Super Over in cricket — when it's used, the rules, how teams pick their players, famous Super Overs, and the 2019 World Cup final controversy.
What Is a Super Over?
A Super Over is a one-over per side eliminator used to decide the winner when a limited-overs match ends in a tie. Each team sends two batters to face one over (six balls) of bowling, aiming to score as many runs as possible. The team scoring the most runs in their Super Over wins. If the Super Over also ends in a tie, the rules for further resolution vary by competition — some use boundary count, others play another Super Over.
Super Over Rules
The batting team selects any two of their ten wickets who have not yet been dismissed (a retired hurt batter can return). If both batters are dismissed before the over ends, the innings concludes — the team cannot bring a third batter. The bowling team nominates one bowler who bowls the full over. Teams bat in the reverse order of their original innings — the team that batted second in the main match bats first in the Super Over.
The 2019 World Cup Final Super Over
The most famous Super Over in cricket history came at Lord's in the final of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup between England and New Zealand. Both teams had scored 241 in their main innings. The Super Over also ended level — both teams scored 15 runs. England were declared winners on the boundary countback rule (more boundaries in the match — 26 to New Zealand's 17). The decision was hugely controversial, with many cricket fans and commentators calling the boundary countback an inadequate and unsatisfying way to decide a World Cup final.
ICC Rule Change After 2019
Following the 2019 controversy, the ICC changed the rule for tied Super Overs in most major tournaments — teams now play further Super Overs until there is a winner on the scoreboard, rather than falling back on boundary countback. This rule was tested in subsequent bilateral series where multiple back-to-back Super Overs were played in a single match, producing exciting if somewhat unusual conclusion sequences.
Famous Super Overs
The Super Over has produced some of cricket's most dramatic moments. In IPL cricket, Super Overs have been bowled with multiple outcomes over the years — from routine finishes to last-ball winning sixes that send the crowd into ecstasy. The nature of the Super Over rewards cool nerves: bowlers who can execute yorkers and batters who can hit boundaries against the best death bowlers in the world, with the match result hanging on six balls.
Frequently asked questions
When is a Super Over used?
A Super Over is used when a limited-overs match ends in a tie — both teams have scored the same number of runs in their full innings.
How many Super Overs can there be?
Under current ICC rules for most major tournaments, further Super Overs are played until a winner emerges — there is no longer a tiebreaker like boundary countback after the first Super Over ends level.
Which over format uses Super Overs?
Super Overs are used in T20Is, ODIs, and domestic T20 leagues. Tests do not have Super Overs — draws are accepted as a result in five-day cricket.