Over (cricket)

In the sport of cricket an over is a series of six consecutive balls bowled by a single bowler. No bowler is allowed to bowl in consecutive overs.

Historical number of balls per over in Test cricket

Modern day Test cricket (since 1979/80) has been played all over the world with six balls per over. However, Test cricket started with 4 balls per over and has had varying number of balls per over around the world upto 1979/80.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Balls per over

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In England

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• 1880 to 1888: 4
• 1890 to 1899: 5
• 1902 to 1938: 6
• 1939 : 8
• 1946 to date: 6

In Australia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• 1876/77 to 1887/88: 4
• 1891/92 to 1920/21: 6
• 1924/25 : 8
• 1928/29 to 1932/33: 6
• 1936/37 to 1978/79: 8
• 1979/80 to date : 6

In South Africa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• 1891/92 to 1898/99: 5
• 1902/03 to 1935/36: 6
• 1938/39 to 1957/58: 8
• 1961/62 to date : 6

In New Zealand

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• 1929/30 to 1967/68: 6
• 1968/69 to 1978/79: 8
• 1979/80 to date : 6

In Pakistan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• 1954/55 to 1972/73: 6
• 1974/75 to 1977/78: 8
• 1978/79 to date : 6

In India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates (venue, not host) all Test matches were played with 6 ball overs.

Related Topics:
India - West Indies - Sri Lanka - Zimbabwe - Bangladesh - United Arab Emirates

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~