In Cricket Follow on Calculation

What is a Follow On in Cricket?

The follow-on is a tactical decision in cricket where the team that batted second in the first innings is required to bat again in the second innings. This occurs when the team batting first in the second innings has a significant lead in runs and the match officials decide to level the playing field by forcing the second team to bat again.

The follow-on is intended to make the match more competitive and ensure that both teams have an equal chance to win. It's typically used in Test matches where the match can go on for five days.

When is Follow On Used?

The follow-on is declared when the team batting first in the second innings has a substantial lead in runs. The exact criteria for declaring a follow-on vary depending on the match conditions and the number of days remaining in the Test match. Generally, the follow-on is declared when:

• The team batting first in the second innings has a lead of at least 200 runs.
• There are at least two days of play remaining in the match.
• The team batting first in the second innings has a significant advantage in terms of wickets or other match conditions.

If the follow-on is declared, the team that batted second in the first innings is required to bat again in the second innings, starting with a fresh set of 11 players. The team batting first in the second innings continues their innings from where they left off.

How to Calculate Follow On

Calculating the follow-on involves determining the required run rate for the team batting first in the second innings to ensure a competitive match. The key factors to consider are:

1. The current score of the team batting first in the second innings.
2. The number of overs bowled in the second innings.
3. The number of days remaining in the match.
4. The average run rate of the team batting first in the first innings.

The follow-on is declared when the team batting first in the second innings has a lead that is considered significant enough to level the playing field. The exact calculation involves comparing the current score to the average run rate of the team batting first in the first innings and considering the number of days remaining.

Example Calculation

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

First, calculate the average run rate for Team A in the first innings:

Average Run Rate = Total Runs / Total Overs = 350 / 90 ≈ 3.89 runs per over

Next, calculate the expected score for Team A in the second innings based on their average run rate:

Expected Score = (Average Run Rate × Overs Bowled) + (Average Run Rate × Overs Remaining)

Expected Score = (3.89 × 50) + (3.89 × 120) = 194.5 + 466.8 ≈ 661.3 runs

Since Team A has already scored 250 runs in the second innings, which is less than the expected score of 661.3 runs, the follow-on is not declared in this scenario.