Imagine a match has already gone down to the wire. Both teams have scored exactly the same number of runs, and now even the Super Over has ended level. The players are exhausted, the crowd is waiting for one final twist, and there is still no winner.
So, what happens next?
Under the current International Cricket Council (ICC) playing conditions, the answer is simple: another Super Over is played. If that Super Over also ends in a tie, another one follows—with the process continuing until one team scores more runs than the other, subject to available playing time and competition-specific conditions.
The controversial boundary-count method used in the past is completely abolished. A match is no longer decided by who hit more fours or sixes earlier in the day.
A Super Over is a one-over tiebreaker used when a limited-overs match finishes level on runs and requires a definitive winner. For a broader look at how cricket's laws and regulations work, see our complete guide to cricket rules and regulations.
Quick Answer: What Happens If a Super Over Ties?
- Another Super Over is played: If the first Super Over is tied, teams immediately play a second Super Over until a definitive winner emerges.
- Batting order reverses: The team that batted second in the previous Super Over must bat first in the next one.
- Dismissed batters are out: Any batter dismissed (out) in an earlier Super Over is strictly ineligible to bat in any subsequent Super Over.
- Bowlers cannot bowl back-to-back: The bowler who delivered the previous Super Over cannot bowl the immediate next one.
- Bowling end alternates: The fielding team bowls the subsequent Super Over from the opposite end of the ground.
- No boundary countback: Prior scorecard statistics or boundary tallies have zero impact on the result.
What Is a Super Over and How Does It Work?
A Super Over is a one-over tiebreaker used when a limited-overs match finishes level on runs and requires a definitive winner. Instead of replaying an entire innings, each side gets one over of six legal deliveries to score as many runs as possible.
| Super Over Rule | Official Regulation |
|---|---|
| Overs Allocated | One over (maximum 6 legal deliveries) per team. |
| Wicket Limit | Each side nominates 3 batters. The fall of 2 wickets immediately terminates that team's innings. |
| First Batting Team | The team that batted second in the regulation match bats first in the first Super Over. |
| Target & Early Finish | The chasing team wins the moment it exceeds the target. Remaining deliveries are not bowled. |
| If Scores Are Equal | The tiebreaker moves into a subsequent Super Over. |
How Multiple (Subsequent) Super Overs Work
The term "Double Super Over" simply describes a match where the first Super Over finishes level and a second one is required. A second or third Super Over is not a simple reset; specific playing conditions govern player eligibility and tactical rotation.
1. Batting Order Reversal
There is no new coin toss. The team that batted second in the previous Super Over automatically bats first in the next one. This prevents one side from repeatedly enjoying the tactical advantage of chasing an exact target.
| Stage | Batting First | Batting Second (Chasing) |
|---|---|---|
| Super Over 1 | Team A (Batted 2nd in main match) | Team B |
| Super Over 2 | Team B | Team A |
| Super Over 3 (if needed) | Team A | Team B |
2. Batter Eligibility (Dismissed vs Not Out)
A batter who was dismissed (out) in a previous Super Over is barred from batting in any subsequent Super Over. However, a batter who remained not out or did not bat remains fully eligible to play in the next Super Over.
3. Bowler Rotation Restrictions
A bowler who delivers one Super Over cannot bowl the immediate next Super Over. However, if the contest extends to a third Super Over, the bowler used in the first Super Over becomes eligible again.
| Super Over | Bowler Used | Next Over Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Super Over 1 | Bowler A | Bowler A cannot bowl Super Over 2 |
| Super Over 2 | Bowler B | Bowler B cannot bowl Super Over 3 |
| Super Over 3 | Bowler A (Eligible again) | Bowler A cannot bowl Super Over 4 |
4. Alternating the Bowling End
For each subsequent Super Over, the fielding side must bowl from the opposite end of the ground. This neutralizes asymmetric wind directions, uneven boundary dimensions, and pitch wear.
5. Interval Duration
Under official ICC playing conditions, a standard 5-minute interval is provided between the conclusion of one Super Over and the start of the next.
Why Was the Boundary Count Rule Scrapped?
The modern system was introduced following the controversial 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Final between England and New Zealand at Lord's.
| Stage | England | New Zealand | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50-Over Match | 241 all out | 241/8 | Match Tied |
| Super Over | 15/0 | 15/1 | Super Over Tied |
| Boundary Countback | 26 Boundaries | 17 Boundaries | England declared Champions |
Both teams scored identical runs in the 50-over match and the Super Over. However, because the rules in force at the time used boundary countback as the tiebreaker, England won the World Cup based on earlier match statistics rather than on-field cricket in the final moments.
Following heavy criticism from players, experts, and fans, the ICC amended its Playing Conditions in late 2019, mandating repeated Super Overs for all matches requiring a decisive outcome.
Real-World Case Study: Afghanistan vs South Africa (2026 T20 World Cup)
The modern framework was demonstrated on the global stage during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash between Afghanistan and South Africa in Ahmedabad.
| Match Stage | Afghanistan | South Africa | Status / Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Over Innings | 187 | 187/6 | Match Tied |
| Super Over 1 | 17/0 | 17/1 | Tied (No boundary count applied) |
| Super Over 2 | 19/2 | 23/0 | South Africa won by 4 runs |
When the first Super Over tied at 17-17, officials did not look back at match boundaries. Under subsequent Super Over conditions, South Africa batted first in the second Super Over, scoring 23 runs. Afghanistan were restricted to 19/2, giving South Africa a clear, on-field victory.
2019 vs Today: The Direct Comparison
| Scenario | 2019 World Cup Final | Current ICC System |
|---|---|---|
| Main Match Tied | Super Over played | Super Over played |
| Super Over Tied | Boundary count decided winner | Subsequent Super Over played |
| Earlier Boundaries Count? | Yes (Decisive factor) | No (Zero impact) |
| Multiple Super Overs Possible? | No | Yes (Continued until a winner emerges) |
What Happens If Rain or Bad Light Stops Play?
While the playing conditions aim for unlimited Super Overs until a winner emerges, weather and operational limits apply:
- Group Stage Matches: If rain, bad light, or scheduled cut-off times prevent the completion of subsequent Super Overs, the match is declared a tie, and competition points are shared equally.
- Knockout / Playoff Matches: If extra time and reserve day allocations expire before a winner can be decided, tournament-specific playing conditions apply (typically advancing the team that finished higher in the group stage standings).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a batter who played in the first Super Over bat again in the second?
Yes, provided they were not dismissed. If a batter was out in Super Over 1, they cannot bat in Super Over 2. If they finished not out or remained at the non-striker's end, they are eligible to bat again.
2. Can the same bowler bowl two Super Overs in a row?
No. Bowlers must alternate. The bowler who delivered Super Over 1 cannot bowl Super Over 2. However, if the match extends to a third Super Over, the bowler from Super Over 1 becomes eligible again.
3. Is there a maximum limit on how many Super Overs can be played?
No. There is no fixed numerical ceiling. Subsequent Super Overs continue until one team scores more runs, provided weather and match cut-off times allow play to continue.
4. Who decides who bats first in the second Super Over?
There is no coin toss. The team that chased (batted second) in the previous Super Over automatically bats first in the next one.
5. Do Super Over runs and wickets count toward official player career statistics?
No. Super Over scoring is classified strictly as tiebreaker data and is not added to a player's official ODI or T20 International career records.
6. Are DRS (Decision Review System) reviews available in a Super Over?
Yes. In competitions using DRS, each team receives one unsuccessful player review per innings during a Super Over, regardless of reviews used during the main match.
Final Verdict: What Happens When a Super Over Ties?
The modern answer is straightforward: a tied Super Over simply leads to another Super Over, not a boundary count.
The batting order reverses, dismissed batters are sidelined, bowlers alternate, and the bowling end switches. As demonstrated in modern global tournaments, matches are now decided strictly by bat and ball on the field.
Reference: Governed under the official ICC Men's and Women's Standard Playing Conditions (Clause 16 and Appendix F: Procedure for the Super Over and Subsequent Super Overs).