Cricket World Cup: ICC overturns possibility of dual winners, implements super over

AN 11th hour decision by ICC powerbrokers has amended the game conditions to include the allowance for a super over should the final finish in a tie.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: James Faulkner of Australia celebrates as he hits the winning runs during the One Day International match between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 18, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

COMMON sense has finally prevailed at the International Cricket Council, with the board overturning a farcical situation, which could have resulted in dual-World Cup winners on Australian soil.

An 11th hour decision by ICC powerbrokers has amended the game conditions to include the allowance for a super over should the final finish in a tie.

WEST INDIES STAR SPINNER OUT OF WORLD CUP

It means there will be a definitive winner of the World Cup, which kicks off in Melbourne on February 14.

Under the original conditions set out for the tournament, the trophy would have been split between the two finalists if the decider finished in a tie.

Although unlikely, history has proven that ties can happen in World Cups, and the prospect of Michael Clarke and AB de Villiers for instance; standing on the MCG podium together, sour-faced at having to share a World Cup would have been completely embarrassing for cricket.

After all, this is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.

The thought of Italy and France being forced to split the 2006 soccer World Cup crown because there was no penalty shootout, is impossible to comprehend.

The super over might not be the fairest way to produce a winner, but it’s better than the alternative — which as the saying goes, is like kissing your sister.

Fortunately, cricket powerbrokers have realised that there needs to be a winner of the sport’s showpiece event with millions attending and billions watching around the world.