SL vs IND (1st ODI): ICC Match Officials Caught In Serious Breach of Playing Conditions

• ICC Rule 16.3 – ‘Tied’ ODI Match Rule – ‘Super Over’ not enforced by match officials
• ICC Men’s Standard ODI Playing Conditions was updated in December 2023

By Marlon Dale Ferreira

In an exhilarating conclusion to the 1st One Day International (ODI) between Sri Lanka and India held yesterday, the match ended in a dramatic tie. Sri Lanka’s new white ball captain, Charith Asalanka, played a crucial role by dismissing the final two Indian batters with just one run needed for victory and several balls still remaining. Despite the thrilling finish, a significant oversight by the ICC Match Officials marred the final outcome to the game.

The officials failed to apply a crucial rule that came into effect in December 2023. According to the ICC’s updated rule book, Clause 16.3.1.1 states that if an ODI match ends in a tie, a ‘Super Over’ must be bowled to determine the winner. If the ‘Super Over’ also results in a tie, additional ‘Super Overs’ should be played until a definitive result is achieved, unless exceptional circumstances prevent it.

This oversight is a serious blunder on the part of the ICC Match Officials, as it denied both teams and their fans the rightful conclusion of the game as stipulated by the rules. The failure to enforce this rule not only affected the immediate outcome of the match but also raises questions about the adherence to newly established regulations designed to ensure fair play and decisive results.

However, the ICC Match Officials involved in yesterday’s game, including Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, On-Field Umpires Joel Wilson and Raveendra Wimalasiri, Reserve Umpire Ruchira Pallyaguruge and TV Umpire Paul Reiffel’s collective negligence resulted in their failure to enforce this rule.

When contacted for clarification, an ICC official confirmed that the oversight was indeed a mistake.

The official, who requested anonymity, stated that should another tie occur in the second or third ODI of the ongoing series, a ‘Super Over’ will be enforced as per the updated rules.

” Two wrongs won’t make a one right” the ICC official said.

The ICC’s new playing conditions are designed to ensure a clear resolution in tied matches, but the failure to implement these regulations in yesterday’s match has raised serious concerns about adherence to the latest guidelines.

There have been 44 instances where ODI matches have been tied in the past (as shown below) and all were before the ICC updated the rule book in December 2023.

There have been instances where a tied ODI match has been decided in the past prior to the new rule coming into effect. Bi-lateral agreements between cricket boards prior to playing a series and also even the concluded CWC Qualifier played last in Zimbabwe last year have been occasions where ODI games have been decided by bowling a ‘Super Over’ to decide the winner in tied ODI games.

The last tied ODI match took place in a CWC Qualifier game played between Netherlands vs West Indies in Harare on the 26th of June 2023. In that instance the match was decided after a ‘Super Over’ was bowled.