Concerns have been raised over the lack of a Super Over following the tied Sri Lanka-India ODI, despite the ICC Playing Conditions listing that there should be a tiebreaker played in bilateral games.
For the second time in a row, a white-ball game between India and Sri Lanka ended with both sides tied after the end of their innings. But while the tied 20-over game earlier this week was won by India in the Super Over, the ODI game ended without a clear winner, the 44th instance of a 50-over game being tied.
However, inspection of the ICC's ODI Playing Conditions suggest a Super Over should have been played, and that an error was made in not doing so.
What do the rules say?
According to the latest ICC Men’s ODI Playing Conditions, which have been in effect since December 2023, in case of a tie or a no result: “a Super Over shall be played. If the Super Over is a tie, then unless exceptional circumstances arise subsequent Super Overs shall be played until there is a winner. Should it not be possible to play or complete the Super Overs needed to determine a winner, the match shall be tied.”
Clause 16.3.1.1 states that all men’s ODIs that end in a tie will end with a Suoer Over unless it is not feasible to play them. There was no threat of rain nor was it raining at any time between when the last ball of India’s innings ended and when the Super Over would have commenced, five minutes later.
Have Super Overs been played in ODIs before?
One very famous ODI has ended in a Super Over: The 2019 World Cup final, won on boundary countback by England after both the main match and the Super Over were tied. But that's not the only such example. A 2020 ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was one by the latter in a Super Over. That game was part of the Cricket World Cup Super League. The Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2023 also saw a Super Over contested between West Indies and Netherlands.
In women's ODIs, West Indies beat South Africa in a Super Over in 2021. South Africa's Lizelle Lee spoke out against the practice after the game. "I don't think ODIs should have a Super Over," she said. "I totally disagree with it."
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