Boundary countback scrapped as Super Over rules changed

E-Paper | May 08, 2026

Cricket chiefs have announced changes to the Super Over regulations, ending the use of boundary countback to decide knockout games following England's victory over New Zealand in the men's World Cup final.

England won the World Cup for the first time in July after an unprecedented finish to the final at Lord's. The hosts triumphed by virtue of hitting more boundaries after the scores were level following the Super Over.

Under the new rules, if teams are tied on the same number of runs in the semi-final or final of a global tournament, the Super Over will be repeated until one team wins.

An ICC statement said the change was “in keeping with the basic principle of scoring more runs than the opponent to win.” The Super Over, endorsed by cricket chiefs as an “exciting and engaging conclusion” to matches, will also be applied to every game in both the 20-over and 50-over World Cups.

It was previously only used during the knockout stages. Group stage matches that are tied after a Super Over will be recorded as a tie.

The new rules will be in place in time for the men's and women's T20 World Cups held in Australia next year.

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HashBrown®

Oct 15, 2019 04:16pm

Somebody share the news with Kane Williamson, that'll really cheer him up!

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Talha

Oct 15, 2019 04:16pm

I think, more wickets taken in that over should also be applied, if runs are equal.

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Jehengir khan

Oct 15, 2019 04:32pm

Good decision....earlier rule was a joke...still feel sad for new zealand.....

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Oct 15, 2019 04:42pm

So they should declare New Zealand as a World Cup title holder now.

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OLDHABIBIAN

Oct 15, 2019 05:03pm

Makes sense. To cover a blooper, the recipě is to wait two months, figure out where the winner was leading and declare that was the primary reason. If the boundaries had been equal, the reason would have been the number of red heads in the english team!

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Shah

Oct 15, 2019 05:05pm

Well well! so technically, the final of the last world cup is still undecided!?

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PTI Zindabaad

Oct 15, 2019 05:18pm

We demand replay of entire World Cup - that too in Pakistan. And this time Pakistan will won it Inshallah.

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Ali Khan

Oct 15, 2019 05:28pm

With that please declare the CWC 2019 a draw between England and New Zealand. The result was such a disgrace to an otherwise amazing tournament.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 15, 2019 06:58pm

No doubt, BCCI dominated and coerced I.C.C. is left with no other options but to alter and change the rules of cricket as much as possible, in favor of its "home team."

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Naeem

Oct 15, 2019 08:39pm

Finally! Logic prevails. Good decision.

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Salazar

Oct 16, 2019 04:30am

Have two superovers in case of a tie. Chances will be slim for tie to happen again. But if it does somehow happen then go for 1 superover until there is a winner.

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Tamanna

Oct 16, 2019 08:38am

Too late

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 16, 2019 12:38pm

Unfortunately, BCCI dominated I.C.C. has no choice but to change and alter all possible rules of the game in all three formats to suit its "home team" from Old and New Delhi.

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