England’s World Cup win officially so banterous the rules have had to change

Cricket365
World Cup final Jos Buttler Super Over

The International Cricket Council has announced the daft boundary countback rule by which England won that ridiculous World Cup final back in July is to be scrapped.

In a very important decision the ICC have confirmed that, in 400 years or so when the World Cup final is next tied after a Super Over, they will instead just keep playing Super Overs until they get a winner. It is undeniably a much better solution to a problem that will almost certainly never crop up again. The stable door has been shut impeccably as Eoin Morgan gallops happily into the distance, the World Cup trophy tucked under his arm. Enduring image.

Morgan’s men secured a first World Cup triumph <extremely Ian Smith voice>by the barest of all margins</extremely Ian Smith voice> at Lord’s in July, when both sides had been tied at 241 runs following the regulation 50 overs each.

England then went on to make 15 in their six-ball shoot-out, which was matched by New Zealand, meaning the hosts were crowned world champions after having scored more boundaries during the match.

The detail of the tie-break regulations – which had only occurred 11 times in international history and never before in a one-day international – drew some criticism. Rightly so, given it is so very silly no matter how unlikely it was to ever actually be used in a game that mattered.

Since events of the summer, the Caribbean Premier League and Australian Big Bash tournaments have amended the rules for their competitions. .

On Monday, the world governing body also confirmed changes, which will now see any Super Over in a final repeated until one side has more runs.

“Following on from a recommendation from the ICC Cricket Committee, the Chief Executives’ Committee agreed that use of the Super Over as a way to decide results at ICC events will be retained,” an ICC statement read following a board meeting in Dubai.

“Both the Cricket Committee and CEC agreed it was an exciting and engaging conclusion to the game and will remain in place covering all games at both ODI and T20I World Cups.

“In group stages, if the Super Over is tied the match will be tied. In semi-finals and finals, there is one change to the Super Over regulation in keeping with the basic principle of scoring more runs than the opponent to win, the Super Over will be repeated until one team has more runs than the other.”

The ICC also confirmed Zimbabwe’s international ban had been lifted, while Nepal was also reinstated.

The prize money for ICC women’s events will, meanwhile, be increased by some US$2.6million (£2.11million).