How to Calculate Follow on in Test Cricket

In Test cricket, the follow-on is a strategic decision where the team that batted first in the match's first innings is required to bat again in their second innings. This occurs when the team that batted first in the first innings has a significant lead in runs, and the match officials deem it unfair for the second team to chase a large target.

What is Follow On in Test Cricket?

The follow-on is a unique situation in Test cricket where the team that batted first in the first innings is required to bat again in their second innings. This happens when the first-innings team has a substantial lead in runs, making it unfair for the second team to chase a large target.

Test cricket is known for its unique scoring system, where each team bats twice in a match. The follow-on is a strategic decision that can significantly impact the outcome of the match.

How to Calculate Follow On

Calculating whether a follow-on should be declared involves several factors, including the number of days played, the number of wickets lost, and the number of runs scored. The decision is typically made by the match referee or umpires based on the following criteria:

The team batting first must have scored at least 300 runs in their first innings.
The team batting second must have lost at least 6 wickets in their first innings.
The match must have been in progress for at least 3 days.

If all these conditions are met, the team batting first will be required to bat again in their second innings.

The Formula

The decision to declare a follow-on is based on the following formula:

Follow-on = (First innings score ≥ 300) AND (Second innings wickets lost ≥ 6) AND (Days played ≥ 3)

If all three conditions are satisfied, the follow-on will be declared.

Worked Example

Let's consider an example to illustrate how the follow-on is calculated:

First innings score: 350 runs
Second innings wickets lost: 7 wickets
Days played: 4 days

In this scenario, all three conditions are met:

350 ≥ 300 (True)
7 ≥ 6 (True)
4 ≥ 3 (True)

Therefore, the follow-on will be declared.

FAQ

What is the minimum score required for a follow-on?: The team batting first must have scored at least 300 runs in their first innings.
How many wickets must the second team lose for a follow-on?: The team batting second must have lost at least 6 wickets in their first innings.
How many days must the match have been in progress for a follow-on?: The match must have been in progress for at least 3 days.
Who decides whether a follow-on will be declared?: The decision is typically made by the match referee or umpires based on the criteria mentioned.
Can a follow-on be declared in the first Test match of a series?: Yes, a follow-on can be declared in any Test match, regardless of whether it is the first match of the series.