Sunday night’s Cricket World Cup final was lauded as one of the greatest ODIs in history. So, to have it decided by a boundary countback has left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
Social media was ablaze almost instantly following the final with fans and major personalities alike condemning the manner in which the World Cup was decided.
Darren Lehmann, Brett Lee, Rohit Sharma, Scott Styris and others all expressed their dismay at the World Cup being awarded to England in the manner it was.
That wasn’t the only controversy to emerge from the decider either, with a final-over deflected four seeing the umpires award England six runs when they perhaps should have only be given five.
We had Roar cricket expert Glenn Mitchell on our huge Cricket World Cup special episode to slam the current ICC laws and look at what can be done to avoid this situation in the future.
Listen to the discussion:
The win did take some gloss over what was otherwise and ODI for the ages, with neither side being able to be separated after 50 overs, nor after the super over.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Give it to the team that used the finer grade sandpaper. Really, just play more super-overs. There are a few changes I would like to see to the super over itself to let it play more like a 51st over; but at the very least keep playing it out until there is a difference in the scores.
Graham
Guest
They should award it to the team that chews more gum during the game it feels less arbitrary :D
OffCycling
Guest
Agree that number of boundaries feels quite arbitrary, here's a couple of other ideas that I haven't seen before, which both have the advantage of deciding it by actions on the day. Both to be implemented after at least one (possibly more) super overs 1. Whoever lost the toss wins the game: the toss is normally gives a significant advantage to whichever team wins it (and if it doesn't it's because the captain misread the pitch), therefore if that team still can't outscore the other then they haven't played as well. I'm glad that none of the knock out games this World cup were win the toss, win the game but quite a few of the group games were. 2. Number of runs scored off the bat, so who scored more runs without taking extras into account. Generally people want to see runs scored off the bat so lets reward that. Also leg byes: the 4 overthrows in the last over has been described as unfair because through no fault of the fielding team or skill of the batsmen they have given up 4 runs. Surely leg byes are also not the fault of the fielding team and aren't intended by the batsmen (as he's supposed to use his bat) so why is it considered in the spirit of cricket to run for a leg bye but not for an overthrow that deflected off the batsmen?
HR
Roar Rookie
This seems like the obvious solution. It's not like soccer just goes "well, that's five-all in the penalties - we'll decide who won on a corners countback!".
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Extra super overs is obviously the way to go. Baseball keeps playing extra innings, basketball more overtimes, soccer more penalties. Just get a result. Cricket has a funny obsession with keeping things within time. The BBL game at the Gabba earlier this year that had to end at 9pm as an example, which could easily have been completed had the rules allowed for it.
Linphoma
Guest
Super over to be played. Initial fielding captain gets to decide which two batsmen from the opposing side play; which one to face initial delivery. Batting team to determine who bowls on the other side. Reverse the process for the second super over, the fielding team determines who bats and faces initial delivery and batting side nominates the bowler. Super over fielding restrictions. All illegal deliveries warrant a free hit. After that, if no result determined....I dunno, pistols at ten paces?
Pross
Roar Rookie
Ohh I thought it was like the Semis, top pool place goes through. Anyway that's my alternative idea which I feel is fair
Jim
Roar Rookie
Seems strange doesn't it! I get not leaving forever in a day to get the match done, but I don't get the fact they would be happy for joint winners in that case, but not 'on the day', even in the case of a tie after a tie as happened! They are a strange mob that run cricket.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Jim. I find even that weird. Lol. The World Cup!!! Once, every four years. Millions of dollars involved. There is something happening at Lord’s next weekend, or even ( heaven forbid ) midweek? The media channels could change cause of the reality show fans going nuts? The 50 players and staff had to get ready for their next contract start, t20, test, whatever? The stands wouldn’t get a descent enough crowd, cause every single person had to fly back, had a wedding the next Sunday? Lol. Dumb.
Jim
Roar Rookie
I was sure that if the final was washed out, it was going to be joint winners?
Pross
Roar Rookie
Winner should be decided as to who finished higher in pool play, like what would happen if the game was rained out. Just like to add I'm a kiwi and if that was the rule it would be easier to digest as England did finish higher