The famous one
At the first World T20 in 2007, India and Pakistan tied their group match in Durban and went to a bowl out. India won it 3–0. Dhoni crouched right behind the stumps to give his bowlers something to aim at, while Pakistan's keeper stood where keepers normally stand. The ICC swapped the bowl out for the super over the following year, but that one's still the best argument for it.
Why gully cricket loves it
It needs almost nothing. A super over needs batters, fielders and enough light to see the ball. A bowl out needs a set of stumps, which you already have, and five people who each quietly think they're the best bowler there. It's quick, it's loud, and it's over before anyone's mum calls.
House rules
- Five different bowlers, or can one person bowl twice? Most grounds say five different people.
- Run-up or standing start? Agree a mark. Otherwise the fast bowler starts from the next street.
- What's a hit? With wooden stumps, the stumps have to be hit. With chalk stumps on a wall, anything touching the chalk.
- A keeper as a target? Dhoni did it. It's legal. Do it.
Sudden death
Level after five each? One ball per side from the sixth attempt on. The first time one side hits and the other misses, it's over. This is the part where nobody can hold the ball properly.
