Match officials’ misinterpretation of rules led to No Super Over in tied IND-SL ODI – report

The match officials for the tied ODI between Sri Lanka and India “misinterpreted” the rules which resulted in them not taking the match to the Super Over, ESPN Cricinfo reported.

According to the details, the on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Raveendra Wimalasiri, match referee Ranjan Madugalle, third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, acknowledged having misinterpreted the ODI rules which state that in case of a tie, teams would contest a Super Over to produce an outcome.

There was, however, some confusion about whether the memorandum signed between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) permits the Super Over for the three-match series.

After Sri Lanka came from behind to force a tie, on-field umpires brushed the bails, signalling the match had ended without a result.

The players from both teams also did not inquire about the Super Over and shook hands.

Notably, the latest playing conditions for ODIs, released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) categorically stated that the teams would contest a Super Over in case of a tied match, just like T20Is.

“If the teams’ scores are equal after both innings have been completed, then 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 to complete the Super Overs needed to determine a winner, the match shall be tied.”

The report further asserted that match referee Madugalle and umpires Wilson and Wimalasiri later decided that they would activate the Super Over for the remaining matches of the series, eventually won by Sri Lanka 2-0.

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