Most people think an over has always had six balls. That’s what we’ve grown up watching. But if you go back to the early days of cricket, that wasn’t the case at all.

When Test cricket started in 1877, an over had four balls. This was normal at the time and nobody questioned it. Cricket was slower, matches stretched over many days, and the game focused more on technique than speed.

As cricket spread to different countries, rules were not the same everywhere. Some places tried five-ball overs. Australia later even used eight-ball overs for a short time. There was no fixed rule for many years.

Eventually, cricket boards realised that using different over lengths created confusion. After a lot of trial and error, six balls per over felt like the right balance. By the mid-1900s, most countries had accepted it, and it later became standard across all formats.

So, if you’re looking for the original answer — a Test over originally had four balls.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many balls were in an over in early Test cricket?
Four balls were bowled per over when Test cricket began.

Was six balls per over always the rule?
No. Six balls became common much later. Early cricket used shorter overs.

Did any country use more than six balls in an over?
Yes. Australia used eight-ball overs for a brief period in the late 1970s.

Why did cricket move to six-ball overs?
Six balls made the game smoother and more balanced for both bowlers and batters.

Do all formats use six-ball overs today?
Yes. Test, ODI, and T20 cricket all follow the six-ball over system now.