Follow on Cricket Calculator

What is a Follow On in Cricket?

A follow-on is a situation in Test cricket where the team that batted first is required to bat again after losing the first innings. This occurs when the team that batted first has a significant lead in runs and the second team is unable to force a result in the first innings.

The follow-on is declared by the match referee based on the difference in scores between the two teams after the first innings. The team that batted first must then bat again, and the team that batted second must bowl again.

How is Follow On Calculated?

The decision to declare a follow-on is based on the difference in scores between the two teams after the first innings. The exact calculation involves several factors, including:

• The difference in runs between the two teams
• The number of wickets lost by the team batting first
• The number of overs bowled by the team batting second
• The number of overs remaining in the innings

The match referee uses a formula to determine whether the difference in scores is sufficient to declare a follow-on. The exact formula is complex and varies slightly depending on the match situation.

Follow On Rules in Cricket

The follow-on is governed by the Laws of Cricket, specifically Law 20 (The Follow On). The key rules include:

1. The follow-on can only be declared after the first innings has ended.
2. The team that batted first must have a lead of at least 200 runs.
3. The team that batted second must have lost at least 6 wickets in the first innings.
4. The team that batted second must have bowled at least 60 overs in the first innings.
5. The match referee must be satisfied that the conditions for a follow-on are met.

If the follow-on is declared, the team that batted first must bat again, and the team that batted second must bowl again. The follow-on innings is limited to the number of overs remaining in the first innings.

Example Calculation

Let's consider an example where Team A has batted first and scored 350 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 90 overs. Team B has batted second and scored 200 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 60 overs.

The difference in scores is 150 runs. The match referee would assess whether this difference is sufficient to declare a follow-on based on the number of wickets lost and overs bowled by Team B.

If the referee decides that the conditions are met, Team A would be required to bat again, and Team B would bowl again. The follow-on innings would be limited to the remaining overs in the first innings (30 overs).