Follow On in Cricket | What is Follow On rule in Test Cricket?
The Follow-On rule is one of the most important rules in the Test format of the game. Those who follow Test cricket will know that each team bats twice in a Test match that lasts five days. Each Test match has four innings with one team batting first and third innings while the other team bats in the second and the fourth innings of the match. However, the traditional sequence can be made to change using the Follow-on rule.
What is a Follow-On Rule in Cricket?
The case for a Follow-On appears in the scene after the team batting second falls behind by 200 or more runs of the runs scored by the team batting first. In the second innings of a Test match, the batting team needs to cross the follow-on target which is 200 runs less than what is achieved in the first innings.
However, if the team batting second fails to cross the Follow-On target, the fielding team might ask the batting team to bat again in the Test match. In such a case, the batting team will have to first chase down the deficit and then post a target and defend it in the last innings of the Test match.
For Example: In a Test Match between India and England, if India bats first and scores 550 runs in their first innings, England needs to score at least 350 runs or above to avoid the follow-on. If England manages to score more than 350 runs then there's no scenario for a Follow On rule. However, if England is bowled out for a score below 350, the Indian team will have the liberty of asking England either to follow-on and bat again or bowl in the third innings. In such a case, the team which makes the decision is usually said to be in the driver's seat after the first half of the Test match.
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Is enforcing the Follow-On necessary?
No, the follow-on rule is not a compulsion. It is a decision that is entirely taken by the team batting first if they want to enforce the follow-on or not. This decision is majorly governed by a variety of factors including the time left in the Test match, pitch, the weather forecast, and especially if the bowlers can continue bowling the long spells again.
Has any Team won after follow on?
In the history of more than 150 years of Test cricket, only thrice has a team won after following-on in a Test match. Interestingly, on all three occasions, Australia was the losing team. Most recently when a team won after follow-on happened in 2001 at the iconic Eden Gardens. India was asked to follow-on after scoring 171 in response to Australia's 445. However, the magical partnership between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid combined with Harbhajan Singh's hattrick on the last day, propelled India to victory after a follow-on in the Test against Australia.
Recent Trends of Follow-On in Test Cricket
The recent trends of follow-on in Test cricket haven't been encouraging. These days, most teams don't prefer to enforce the follow-on rather they tend to bat and post a target for the other team to chase in the fourth innings of the Test match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is follow-on given in cricket?
Follow on can be given if the team batting second falls behind the first innings score of the opposition by a margin of 200 runs or more. The decision of imposing the follow-on is solely on the team which has the lead.
2. How is the follow on runs calculated in Test cricket?
The follow on runs are calculated easily by subtracting 200 from the runs scored by the team batting first. For example, if India bats first against Australia in a Test match and scores 350 runs in the first innings, then follow on runs will be 150 (350-200) runs. In such a scenario, Australia will have to score at least a run more than the follow on target.