Tied Matches in Cricket: Famous Dead Heats
Tied matches are among the rarest and most thrilling outcomes in cricket — here is the history and the rules that govern them.
A tied match in cricket occurs when both sides finish on exactly the same score. In Test cricket, the last batting side must be dismissed with scores level. In limited-overs cricket, a tie triggers a Super Over or boundary countback. Only two Tests in history have ended in a tie, making it an extraordinary rarity.
The First Tied Test: Brisbane 1960
Australia and West Indies played the very first tied Test in Brisbane in December 1960. The match produced one of cricket's finest finish sequences: Joe Solomon ran out Ian Meckiff off the second-last ball with the scores level, then Wally Grout was run out off the last ball attempting the winning run. Both teams finished on 737 runs in the match.
The Second Tied Test: Madras 1986
India and Australia tied a Test in Madras (now Chennai) in 1986. Maninder Singh, India's last batter, was lbw to Greg Matthews off the final over with scores level. It remains the only tied Test on the subcontinent and only the second in history across all of Test cricket.
Super Over Rules
In a Super Over, each team faces one over with two wickets in hand. The team that scores more runs wins. If the Super Over is also tied, a second Super Over is now played (post-2019 rule change), and this continues until a winner is produced. The batter who batted last in the innings bats first in the Super Over.
Frequently asked questions
How many tied Tests have there been in cricket history?
Only two Test matches have ended in a tie: Australia vs West Indies in Brisbane in 1960, and India vs Australia in Madras in 1986.
What happens if a Super Over is tied in T20?
Since the 2019 ICC rule change, a second Super Over is played if the first Super Over is also tied. This continues until a winner is found. The old boundary countback rule that decided the 2019 ODI World Cup final has been abolished.