In white-ball cricket, after the game gets tied, an over decides the result of the game. That over makes the difference and decide the winner this game. That over named super-over, which makes the game more thrilling even after it ends. Every delivery of the game fully loaded with excitement and thrill, which creates more fun in the game. This guide will provide the cricket super over rules and how it transformed the white ball cricket.
Introduction of Super Over in Cricket?
In test cricket, when the game gets drawn, it does not feel exciting, and that game feels boring and aimless as well. But with the introduction of T20 cricket, the ICC made everything possible to get the result of the game.
Firstly, ICC decided to use bowl-out rule to decide the result of the game. That rule was simple: that both sides would hit the wickets by using 6 different players. No batter will be involved, and the side with the most wicket-hitters will ultimately win.
But that rule did not contain the basic core of cricket. As 6 different bowlers will hit the wickets and no batter and fielder will be used. But then in 2008, the ICC decided to introduce a super-over to decide the result of the game.
The first-ever super-over was held in December 2008 between New Zealand and the West Indies. This rule was so exciting and thrilling that ICC introduced this rule in ODI cricket as well in 2011.
When Does a Super Over Happen
A Super Over happens when both sides achieve the same score in a single game. Then, a Super over is used to decide the result of the game. Both sides will play 6 balls each, and the side that achieves the target or defends it will win the game.
However, it is not necessary that every time super over will be played when the game gets tied. In the group stage of ICC events, both sides get 1 point each. But in a knock-out, the usage of super-over is mandatory.
In league games, a Super over is used in group games as well. Because it gives more excitement to the game and helps the league get more eyeballs. But ICC events group games do not contain a super over if the game ends in a tie.
Now ICC has modified the Super over rule after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 finals. If a super over ends in a tie, then another super over will be bowled. And Super-over will be bowled until the game does not end in a result.
Cricket Super Over Rules Explained
Anyhow, Super over holds importance in white-ball cricket. Therefore, it does follow some crucial rules and regulations to maintain the fairness and quality of cricket. The first and important rule is that the chasing side will get the chance to bat first in the Super over.
No more than 3 players can come to bat in super over. There are no regulations that the players’ batting side can send any batter to the crease.
Bowling sides can use any bowler they want to deliver the super-over for their side. Usually, the team decides the best power-hitter in batting and the best death bowler to play in a super-over.
Anyhow, fielding is underrated but a very important department in a super-over. A single run or crucial boundary saved from a fielder can win the game for their side. Therefore, bowling teams use their best fielders in crucial positions in a super-over.
Top 5 Most Thrilling Super Over Matches in Cricket History
Super Over often creates extraordinary thrill and excitement in the game. It creates double curiosity among the fans related to the game. First, when the game reaches the last ball, there is super over excitement. Sometimes, an often double over can occur, which becomes the cherry on top of the cake for the fans. Let’s check out the top 5 games that ended up on a super over.
West Indies vs New Zealand (2012 WC)
In 2012 T20 WC, the West Indies and New Zealand super over game created proper thrill in that tournament. West Indies needed to win that game quite badly to fancy their chances in the knock-out stages. Where New Zealand played quality cricket in that World Cup.
But West Indies and New Zealand ended up on draw and game entered in Super Over. And with the help of crucial hitting of Marlon Samuels, the West Indies won that game. After winning that game, the West Indies got their first T20 World Cup win by winning the final against Sri Lanka.
Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2019)
In the 2019 IPL edition, the Delhi Capitals and the Kolkata Knight Riders’ game entered a super over. Both sides played very impressive cricket in that tournament. Chasing 185, DC also fell onto the 185-run mark.
In the Super over, KKR needed 11 runs to win. But Kagiso Rabada’s explosive yorker get the wicket of Andre Russell on the very first ball of the super over. That ball made that 11-run target difficult for KKR. Therefore, DC won that game by 3 runs against KKR.
Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab (IPL 2020)
In IPL 2020, the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab played a double super over game against each other. It was the first-ever game that entered a double super over. Where MI failed to get 6 runs in the first super over, then in 2nd Super overs, PBKS chased down the 12-run target easily.
India vs Pakistan (2007 WC)
Arch-rival entered in the first-ever super-over of the ICC T20 World Cup. The result of the game decided with bowl-out rule. Pakistan failed to reach the 141-run target in that game. India won that game by hitting the wickets in bowled out rule.
England vs New Zealand (CWC 2019)
The final of England vs New Zealand witnessed the first-ever Super-over in the history of ICC event finals. The most closet World Cup final brought the first ever ICC World Cup trophy to England. England failed to reach the 241-run target set by New Zealand.
While in the Super Over, England set the target of 15 runs. And New Zealand reached the exact 15-run mark. But there was no double super over concept at that time. England declared the winner on the basis of more boundaries scored than New Zealand in the Super Over.
Conclusion
The game between England and New Zealand was one of the craziest games ever in ICC events. This tells how important the Super Over as deciding factor in the cricket game. However, it is the best rule to bring the result in white-ball cricket. ICC should bring the super overrule in Test cricket as well. It is very rare that test cricket ends in a tie. But now in the World Test Championship situation, the super over can become very important to bring the result out of the game.
FAQs
How many players play in a Super Over?
In a super, a single team can use 3 players and 1 bowler to complete the super over.
Can a bowler bowl two Super Overs?
No bowler can bowl consecutive super overs in a single game.
Is Super Over used in Test cricket?
In test cricket, there is no concept of using a super over. But in the WTC scenario, it can be useful, although it is very rare that a test game ends in a tie.
Why was the boundary count rule removed?
After the 2019 Cricket World Cup final, the boundary count rule became controversial. Therefore, to add the result with fairness, the double super over concept was introduced.
How long does a Super Over take?
A single super over usually gets around 5-10 minutes to complete if a game gets deeper than a double super over, which extends the period of the game.
