What it is
A super over is a one-over innings for each side, played when a limited-overs match is tied and the competition uses this rule. Each side chooses batters, and the bowling side chooses a bowler. Wickets and runs are counted in the super over only.
The book for a super over
Start a clean sheet. Write the super over at the top, with the batters and bowler named. Two wickets usually end the mini-innings. Count legal balls, not deliveries. If the bowler bowls a wide, the over is extended, just as in a normal over.
Common mistakes
- Folding super-over runs into the original innings total. The league table then shows a total nobody scored in the match.
- Forgetting that the batters who started the original innings are not automatically the super-over batters.
- Writing the super over on the same line as the tied innings, so the extras columns mix.
When the super over is tied
Playing conditions decide. Some competitions repeat the super over; others use a count of boundaries or wickets in the game; others share the points. Read the rule before the match and write it at the top of the book.
Why the book matters
A super over is the match's most-watched six balls and the most-argued. A clean record protects the result. Publish the super over as its own innings on the scorecard, so anyone can check the runs and wickets without reading the main innings.
Citations
MCC Laws for the match, and the competition's playing conditions for the tie-break rule.
Match questions
Questions scorers actually ask
- 01 Do super-over runs count toward a batter’s career average?
- Check the league. Many leagues keep the super over separate from the match figures. Write it as its own innings so the choice is visible.
- 02 How many overs does a super over have?
- Usually one over each side, in limited-overs cricket. Some competitions repeat the super over until a winner emerges.
- 03 Who bowls the super over?
- The captain of the fielding side picks a bowler, who cannot bowl the most recent over in that match in some formats. Check the playing conditions for the bowling restriction.
