Cricket Follow on Score Calculation
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Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team
In cricket, a follow-on is a strategic decision where the team that batted first in the Test match innings must bat again after the team that batted second has declared their innings. This occurs when the team batting first scores more runs than the team batting second, and the match is still undecided.
What is a Follow On in Cricket?
A follow-on in cricket is a situation that arises in Test matches when the team that batted first in their innings must bat again after the team that batted second has declared their innings. This happens when the team batting first scores more runs than the team batting second, and the match is still undecided.
The follow-on is declared by the umpires, and the team that batted first must then bat again with the same number of wickets in hand. The team batting second will then bowl to the team that batted first, aiming to restrict them to a lower score and win the match.
Key Points
1. The follow-on only occurs in Test matches, not in One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Twenty20 (T20) matches.
2. The follow-on is declared when the team batting first has scored more runs than the team batting second, and the match is still undecided.
3. The team that batted first must then bat again with the same number of wickets in hand.
How to Calculate Follow On Score
Calculating the follow-on score involves determining the target score that the team batting second must reach to win the match. The formula for calculating the follow-on score is as follows:
Follow On Score Formula
Follow On Score = (First Innings Score - Second Innings Score) + 1
This formula ensures that the team batting second must score more runs than the difference between the first innings score and the second innings score to win the match.
For example, if the team batting first scores 300 runs and the team batting second scores 200 runs, the follow-on score would be calculated as follows:
Example Calculation
Follow On Score = (300 - 200) + 1 = 101
This means the team batting second must score at least 101 runs to win the match.
Worked Example
Let's consider a scenario where Team A bats first and scores 350 runs. Team B then bats and scores 280 runs. The follow-on score is calculated as follows:
Example Scenario
First Innings Score (Team A) = 350 runs
Second Innings Score (Team B) = 280 runs
Follow On Score = (350 - 280) + 1 = 71
In this scenario, Team A must now bat again and score at least 71 runs to win the match. If Team A scores 70 runs or less, Team B will win the match.
| Team | Innings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Team A | First Innings | 350 |
| Team B | Second Innings | 280 |
| Team A | Follow On | 71 (Target) |
FAQ
- What is the purpose of a follow-on in cricket?
- The follow-on is a strategic decision where the team that batted first in the Test match innings must bat again after the team that batted second has declared their innings. This occurs when the team batting first scores more runs than the team batting second, and the match is still undecided.
- When is a follow-on declared in cricket?
- A follow-on is declared when the team batting first has scored more runs than the team batting second, and the match is still undecided. The follow-on is only declared in Test matches, not in One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Twenty20 (T20) matches.
- How is the follow-on score calculated in cricket?
- The follow-on score is calculated using the formula: Follow On Score = (First Innings Score - Second Innings Score) + 1. This formula ensures that the team batting second must score more runs than the difference between the first innings score and the second innings score to win the match.
- What happens if the team batting in the follow-on scores less than the follow-on score?
- If the team batting in the follow-on scores less than the follow-on score, the team that batted second will win the match. The follow-on score is the target that the team batting second must reach to win the match.
- Can a follow-on occur in One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Twenty20 (T20) matches?
- No, a follow-on can only occur in Test matches. In One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) matches, the team that bats first cannot be forced to bat again after the team that bats second has declared their innings.