Super Over in Cricket
How a Super Over works in cricket tie situations, the rules for selecting batters and bowlers, and famous Super Over moments in international cricket.
What Is a Super Over?
A Super Over (also called a one-over eliminator) is a tiebreaker used in limited-overs cricket when the scores are tied after the regulation overs. Each team bats one over (6 balls), and the team with the higher score wins. If the scores are tied again, additional super overs may be played.
When Is a Super Over Used?
- T20 International and T20 league matches that end in a tie
- ODI matches that end in a tie (if a result is needed)
- ICC knockout tournament matches — no draws allowed
- The Super Over is not used in the group stage of all tournaments
Super Over Rules
- Each team selects two batters and one bowler before the over
- The team batting first in the match bowls first in the Super Over
- Two wickets end the batting team's Super Over immediately
- Bowlers who did not bowl in the main innings are eligible to bowl the Super Over
- A player dismissed in the main innings can bat in the Super Over
The 2019 World Cup Final
The most famous Super Over came in the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Final between England and New Zealand at Lord's. Both the match and the Super Over ended tied. England won the trophy via the boundary count rule — they had scored more fours and sixes in their innings. This sparked a rule change: ICC later removed the boundary countback rule, mandating further super overs until one team scores more.
Super Over Outcome
Match tied. England needs 16 off the super over. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler bat; they score 15/0. New Zealand chase 16. Final ball, they need 2 to win. Scorer ties at 15 — boundary countback invoked (pre-2019 rule). England win.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the Super Over also ends in a tie?
Under current ICC rules (post-2019), another Super Over is played until there is a definitive winner. The boundary countback rule was removed after the 2019 World Cup Final controversy.
Who bats and bowls in a Super Over?
Each captain nominates two batters and one bowler before the Super Over. Any player (including those dismissed in the main innings) can bat, but a bowler must not have bowled the maximum allowed overs in the innings.