How to Calculate Follow on in Cricket
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Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team
Follow On is a unique situation in cricket where the team that is batting second is required to bat again after their first innings. This occurs when the team batting second is significantly behind in the first innings and the match is extended to a second innings for each team. Understanding how to calculate and apply Follow On is crucial for cricket enthusiasts and analysts.
What is Follow On in Cricket?
Follow On is a term used in cricket to describe a situation where the team that batted second in the first innings is required to bat again in the second innings. This happens when the team batting second in the first innings is significantly behind in runs and the match is extended to a second innings for each team.
The concept of Follow On was introduced to prevent a team from being bowled out twice in a match, which could lead to an unfair advantage. When Follow On is declared, the team that batted second in the first innings must bat again in the second innings, while the team that batted first in the first innings will bat first in the second innings.
Conditions for Declaring Follow On
Follow On is declared under specific conditions set by the Laws of Cricket. The key conditions are:
- The match must be a two-innings match (Test match).
- The team batting second in the first innings must be all out.
- The team batting second in the first innings must be behind by a certain number of runs.
- The team batting first in the first innings must have a lead that is considered significant enough to declare Follow On.
The exact number of runs by which the team batting first must lead to declare Follow On is determined by the match referee or umpires, taking into account factors such as the length of the match, the number of overs bowled, and the number of wickets lost.
How to Calculate Follow On
Calculating Follow On involves determining the number of runs by which the team batting first must lead to declare Follow On. The calculation is based on the following formula:
Follow On Runs = (Total Runs Scored by Team Batting First) - (Total Runs Scored by Team Batting Second)
If the Follow On Runs are greater than the threshold set by the match referee or umpires, Follow On is declared.
The threshold for declaring Follow On is not fixed and can vary depending on the match situation. It is typically calculated based on the number of overs bowled, the number of wickets lost, and the length of the match.
Impact of Follow On on Match Outcome
The declaration of Follow On can significantly impact the outcome of a cricket match. Here are some key points to consider:
- Extended Match Duration: Follow On extends the match by adding a second innings for each team, increasing the total duration of the match.
- Strategic Advantage: The team that is declared Follow On may have a strategic advantage as they get an extra innings to recover from a poor first innings performance.
- Physical and Mental Strain: The team that is declared Follow On may face increased physical and mental strain as they have to bat twice in the match.
- Tactical Considerations: Teams may consider the declaration of Follow On as a tactical decision to gain an advantage in the match.
Example Calculation
Let's consider an example to illustrate how to calculate Follow On. Suppose Team A bats first and scores 350 runs in their first innings. Team B, batting second, scores 200 runs and is all out. The match referee determines that the lead of 150 runs is sufficient to declare Follow On.
Follow On Runs = 350 - 200 = 150
Since the Follow On Runs (150) are greater than the threshold (150), Follow On is declared.
In this scenario, Team B will bat again in the second innings, while Team A will bat first in the second innings. The match will now consist of two innings for each team, with Team B batting twice in the match.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of Follow On in cricket?
- The purpose of Follow On is to prevent a team from being bowled out twice in a match, which could lead to an unfair advantage. It ensures that both teams have an equal opportunity to bat twice in the match.
- How is the threshold for declaring Follow On determined?
- The threshold for declaring Follow On is determined by the match referee or umpires, taking into account factors such as the length of the match, the number of overs bowled, and the number of wickets lost.
- Can Follow On be declared in limited-overs cricket?
- No, Follow On is only applicable in Test matches, which are two-innings matches. It is not declared in limited-overs cricket formats such as One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Twenty20 (T20) matches.
- What happens if Follow On is declared?
- If Follow On is declared, the team that batted second in the first innings must bat again in the second innings, while the team that batted first in the first innings will bat first in the second innings.
- How does Follow On impact the outcome of a cricket match?
- Follow On can significantly impact the outcome of a cricket match by extending the match duration, providing a strategic advantage to the team that is declared Follow On, and increasing the physical and mental strain on the team that bats twice.