Tied ODIs and T20s: Cricket's Most Dramatic Shared Results
The history of tied matches in limited-overs cricket, the Super Over rule, and the most famous tied ODIs and T20s including the extraordinary 2019 World Cup Final.
Unlike Test cricket where ties are extraordinarily rare, ties in limited-overs cricket occur more frequently because the compressed format brings teams' totals regularly close together. The advent of the Super Over as a tiebreaker has changed how ties are resolved and produced some of the most dramatic moments in modern cricket history.
The 2019 World Cup Final: A Tie That Shocked the World
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final between England and New Zealand at Lord's on 14 July 2019 ended in a tie after 50 overs each — England scoring 241 from 50 overs and New Zealand matching that exact total. The Super Over also tied: both sides scored 15 from their single over. England were declared World Cup winners because they hit more boundaries across the combined match and Super Over — a tiebreaker rule subsequently changed by ICC. The match is widely described as the greatest ODI ever played.
History of Notable Tied ODIs
The first tied ODI in international cricket was between Australia and the West Indies in 1984. Subsequent tied ODIs have involved teams from across the world — South Africa vs England, India vs West Indies, and many others. As batting standards have improved and 300+ totals have become more common, the raw probability of a tie has actually decreased (the larger the totals, the wider the margin for error), making exact ties slightly rarer than in the format's early years.
The Super Over Tiebreaker
When a T20I or ODI is tied, a Super Over is used to determine the winner. Each team nominates three batters and one bowler for a one-over match — the team scoring more from their Super Over wins. If the Super Over is also tied, further Super Overs continue until a result is achieved in ICC tournaments (post-2019 rule). In franchise competitions, individual tournament rules apply, which sometimes vary.
Most Famous Tied T20I Matches
The inaugural ICC World Twenty20 final in 2007 — India vs Pakistan in Johannesburg — produced a famously tense conclusion that went to the last ball but did not tie (India won by 5 runs). T20 ties tend to produce high-drama Super Overs; the 2020 BBL Super Over between Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars that extended to a second Super Over attracted enormous attention and illustrated the new drama the Super Over format creates.
Frequently asked questions
How common are tied matches in ODI cricket?
Tied ODIs occur roughly once or twice per year across all international cricket, making them rare but not exceptional. As of 2026, approximately 40–50 ODIs in cricket history have ended in a tie before Super Over resolution. The probability of any given ODI producing a tie is approximately 0.5–1% based on historical data.
What happens in a World Cup knockout match that ties?
In knockout ICC tournament matches that tie (semi-finals, finals), a Super Over is used to determine who advances. If the Super Over is also tied, further Super Overs are bowled until a result is achieved — unlike in the group stage where the 2019 boundary countback rule was controversially applied. The rules were updated precisely because the 2019 Final outcome was seen as unsatisfactory.