Cricket Super Over: Rules, History, and Why It's Used as a Tiebreaker
A Super Over is cricket's most dramatic tiebreaker — a single over per side played after a tied match, with two batsmen and one bowler from each team. This guide explains exactly how the Super Over works, its history, and the famous Super Overs that decided major matches.
Tied cricket matches — where both sides score exactly the same number of runs — are rare but spectacular. In T20 and ODI cricket, the tie is broken by a Super Over: each team gets one over to score as many runs as possible, and the team with the higher Super Over total wins. Two batsmen bat; one bowler bowls; all fielding restrictions from the end of the regular match remain. If the Super Over also ties, the team that hit more boundaries in the match wins.
Super Over Rules
Each team selects two batsmen to bat the Super Over and one bowler to bowl it. Normal fielding restrictions apply (e.g., two fielders outside the ring in a T20 Super Over). The batting team bats until two wickets fall or the over is complete. The team batting first sets a target; the team batting second needs to surpass it within the over. No wides or no-balls are bowled — each delivery is legitimate. Players already dismissed in the match CAN participate in the Super Over.
Famous Super Overs
The 2019 World Cup Final Super Over is cricket's most dramatic — England won the World Cup for the first time after both the match and Super Over tied. A deflection off Ben Stokes' bat for four overthrows during the Super Over remains one of cricket's most controversial moments. In T20 International cricket, Super Overs occur more regularly — approximately 1-2 per major tournament. Carlos Brathwaite vs Ben Stokes in the 2016 World Cup final (Brathwaite hitting 4 sixes off the over's final delivery) wasn't technically a Super Over but illustrated the same dramatic pressure.
Super Over Strategy
Super Over selection is one of cricket's most high-stakes captain's decisions. Which two batsmen can score fastest from ball one under extreme pressure? Which bowler can bowl accurately to a packed field with the match on the line? Teams typically choose their best T20 hitters — regardless of batting position in the main innings — and their most accurate death bowlers. Ben Stokes' selection to face the New Zealand Super Over in 2019 was natural given his form; the choice of Jofra Archer to bowl was equally considered.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Super Over in cricket?
A Super Over is a one-over tiebreaker played after a tied match in T20 and ODI cricket. Each team bats one over with two batsmen against one bowler, and the team scoring the most runs in their Super Over wins.
What happens if the Super Over also ties?
Before 2020, if the Super Over also tied, the winner was decided by boundary count across the whole match. After the controversial 2019 World Cup Final, the ICC changed the rules — if the Super Over ties, another Super Over is played until there is a winner.
Who can bat and bowl in a Super Over?
Teams can choose any two players (including dismissed batsmen) to bat the Super Over, and any bowler who bowled in the main match. Teams typically select their most explosive T20 hitters and most accurate death bowlers.