The "Golden Ball" in cricket, though not a formal or universally adopted rule, refers to a tie-breaking method occasionally used in some limited-overs cricket matches. It involves a single ball bowled by one team and faced by a batsman from the other team to determine the winner after a tied match.
How the Golden Ball Works
Here's a breakdown of how the Golden Ball (also known as a Super Over in more modern contexts) generally functions:
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Trigger: This method is triggered when a limited-overs cricket match (usually T20 or occasionally a One Day International reduced by rain) ends in a tie, meaning both teams have scored the same number of runs after their allotted overs.
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Selection: The team that bowled last in the original match usually bowls the Golden Ball. If the bowler is injured, another bowler can be selected. Any batsman who was not dismissed during the innings can bat.
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Objective: The team batting during the Golden Ball aims to score more runs than the opposing team scored in their Golden Ball over. The team bowling aims to restrict the batting team's score.
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Outcome: The team that scores more runs in their Golden Ball over wins the match. If the scores are still tied after the Golden Ball, some tournaments have specific tie-breaking procedures (e.g., the team that hit the most sixes in the match wins). The use of boundaries scored in the innings/Super Over, as a tie-breaker is no longer as prevalent.
Important Considerations:
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Not a Standard Rule: It's crucial to understand that the Golden Ball (or its modern iteration, the Super Over) is not part of the official Laws of Cricket as defined by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). It is a specific condition implemented by organizers of certain tournaments or leagues.
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Modern Super Over: The Super Over has generally replaced the "Golden Ball" concept in major international tournaments and leagues like the ICC World Cups and the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Super Over consists of a full over (six balls) rather than just one ball.
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Batsman and Bowler Selection: Typically, specific rules govern which players are eligible to bat or bowl in the Golden Ball or Super Over. These restrictions often prevent players who have already bowled a significant number of overs, or who have been dismissed, from participating.
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Timeline: Based on the reference document provided, the concept was described in an article dated July 14, 2020.
