Calculate Follow on Cricket

Follow on cricket is a strategic decision in Test cricket where a team that has been dismissed for a lower score than their opponents is required to bat again, aiming to score more runs than their opponents' second innings total. This page explains how to calculate follow on scenarios, including the conditions that trigger a follow on and the implications for match outcomes.

What is Follow On Cricket?

In Test cricket, a follow on occurs when the team that was dismissed first has a score that is significantly lower than their opponents' second innings total. The decision is made by the umpires based on the following conditions:

The team batting first is dismissed for a score that is less than half of their opponents' second innings total
The team batting first is dismissed for a score that is less than 250 runs
The team batting first is dismissed for a score that is less than their opponents' second innings total by more than 250 runs

When a follow on is declared, the team that was dismissed first must bat again, aiming to score more runs than their opponents' second innings total. If they succeed, they win the match. If they fail, they lose the match.

Follow on decisions are made by the umpires and are not subject to appeal. The decision is final and cannot be changed.

How to Calculate Follow On Cricket

To determine if a follow on should be declared, you need to compare the first innings score of the team batting first with the second innings score of the team batting second. The calculation is based on the following formula:

Follow On Condition = (First Innings Score < Second Innings Score) AND (First Innings Score < 250 OR First Innings Score < (Second Innings Score / 2) OR (Second Innings Score - First Innings Score) > 250)

If the follow on condition is met, the umpires will declare a follow on. The team batting first will then have to bat again, aiming to score more runs than the second innings total of the team batting second.

The result of the follow on can be calculated using the following formula:

Follow On Result = IF (Follow On Score > Second Innings Score, "Win", "Lose")

If the team batting first scores more runs than the second innings total of the team batting second, they win the match. If they score fewer runs, they lose the match.

Follow On Cricket Examples

Let's look at some examples to illustrate how follow on cricket calculations work.

Example 1: Follow On Declared

Team A bats first and scores 150 runs. Team B bats second and scores 300 runs. Since 150 is less than half of 300 (150) and less than 250, a follow on is declared. Team A must bat again and aims to score more than 300 runs.

Example 2: Follow On Not Declared

Team A bats first and scores 200 runs. Team B bats second and scores 300 runs. Since 200 is more than half of 300 (150) and more than 250, a follow on is not declared. Team A does not have to bat again.

Example 3: Follow On Result

In a follow on scenario, Team A bats again and scores 350 runs. Team B's second innings total was 300 runs. Since 350 is greater than 300, Team A wins the match.

Follow On Cricket FAQ

What is the purpose of a follow on in cricket?

The purpose of a follow on is to ensure that the team batting first has a fair chance to score more runs than their opponents' second innings total. It is a strategic decision that aims to make the match more competitive and interesting.

Who decides whether a follow on should be declared?

The umpires decide whether a follow on should be declared based on the conditions outlined in the follow on calculation. The decision is final and cannot be appealed.

What happens if a team loses a follow on?

If a team loses a follow on, they lose the match. The team that declared the follow on wins the match by an innings and a certain number of runs.