How to Calculate The Follow on Score Test Cricket

What is a Follow On in Test Cricket?

A follow on in Test cricket is a rare but significant occurrence where the team that won the toss and chose to bat first is required to bat again in the second innings. This happens under specific conditions related to the first innings scores.

The decision to impose a follow on is made by the umpires based on the following criteria:

• The team batting first in the first innings scores fewer than half the total runs scored by the team batting second in the first innings.
• The difference between the two first innings scores is less than 200 runs.

When a follow on is declared, the team that batted first in the first innings must bat again in the second innings, while the team that batted second in the first innings bats first in the second innings.

Follow On Score Formula

The follow on score is calculated based on the runs scored by both teams in the first innings. The formula to determine if a follow on is possible is:

The target score for the follow on is the total runs scored by the team batting second in the first innings plus one.

How to Calculate the Follow On Score

To calculate the follow on score, follow these steps:

1. Record the runs scored by both teams in the first innings.
2. Check if the first innings score of the team batting first is less than half of the first innings score of the team batting second.
3. Verify that the difference between the two first innings scores is less than 200 runs.
4. If both conditions are met, a follow on is declared.
5. The target score for the follow on is the total runs scored by the team batting second in the first innings plus one.

Example Calculation

Let's consider an example where Team A bats first and scores 250 runs, and Team B bats second and scores 550 runs.

1. First innings score of Team A: 250 runs
2. First innings score of Team B: 550 runs
3. Check if 250 < 550 / 2 → 250 < 275 (True)
4. Check if 550 - 250 < 200 → 300 < 200 (False)

Since the second condition is not met, a follow on is not declared in this scenario.

Now, let's consider another example where Team A bats first and scores 200 runs, and Team B bats second and scores 450 runs.

1. First innings score of Team A: 200 runs
2. First innings score of Team B: 450 runs
3. Check if 200 < 450 / 2 → 200 < 225 (True)
4. Check if 450 - 200 < 200 → 250 < 200 (False)

Again, the second condition is not met, so a follow on is not declared.

Finally, let's consider an example where Team A bats first and scores 150 runs, and Team B bats second and scores 350 runs.

1. First innings score of Team A: 150 runs
2. First innings score of Team B: 350 runs
3. Check if 150 < 350 / 2 → 150 < 175 (True)
4. Check if 350 - 150 < 200 → 200 < 200 (False)

In this case, both conditions are met, but the difference is exactly 200, which does not satisfy the second condition. Therefore, a follow on is not declared.