In cricket, the “Follow On” is a rule that allows the team that bats first to ask the second team to bat again immediately after its first innings ends, provided a certain runs deficit condition is met.

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This is typically used as a strategic move when the first team has a significant lead and wants to avoid batting again, instead trying to bowl out the second team and win the match outright.

The specific rules for enforcing the follow on differ slightly between Test cricket and first-class cricket:

• In Test cricket, the follow on can be enforced if the team batting second is trailing by at least 200 runs after the first innings of both teams.
• In a four-day first-class match, the deficit is 150 runs.

The decision to enforce the follow on is up to the captain of the team that batted first. While it can be a useful strategy in certain situations, it also means that the team’s bowlers have to bowl for two consecutive innings with little rest in between, which can be physically demanding.

What is Follow On in Cricket?

In the strategic landscape of cricket, the concept of ‘follow-on’ introduces a unique twist to the game’s normal batting sequence.

Typically, the team batting second is asked to take their second innings immediately after their first, a scenario that unfolds when their first innings score falls short of a certain benchmark.

Under normal circumstances, the batting sequence in a cricket match is as follows:

1. Team batting first – first innings
2. Team batting second – first innings
3. Team batting first – second innings
4. Team batting second – second innings

However, the enforcement of the follow-on alters this sequence. If the team batting second fails to amass enough runs in their first innings and trails by a significant margin, the team batting first can enforce the follow-on. This results in the following sequence:

1. Team batting first – first innings
2. Team batting second – first innings
3. Team batting second – second innings
4. Team batting first – second innings

This tactical move, while seemingly simple, can significantly influence the outcome of the match, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the game of cricket.

Cricket Follow-On Calculator: To Enforce or Not?

The cricket follow-on calculator is a tool designed to help you determine whether you can enforce the follow-on, inviting the opponent to bat again.

The follow-on in cricket is a circumstance defined by Law 14 of the laws of cricket drafted by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), London.

The MCC is the custodian of cricket laws that are up for revision every year. Currently, there are 42 laws, and they define the conditions of play and different circumstances.

The follow-on rule is often used when the play duration is less and to avoid a draw result. If your team is invited to follow-on, it is most likely your team will lose the game. Therefore, it is better to avoid the follow-on!

Rules for Follow-On in Cricket

The term follow-on refers to the situation where the opposite side is asked to bat again immediately after their previous inning during a two innings match.

This situation occurs to the team batting second, and in such situations, the team batting first makes this call.

The circumstances under which the team batting first gets this right are dictated by the Law 14 of MCC laws of cricket which states:

In a two-innings match of 5 days or more, the side which bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings.

The law above is applicable only for following on in test cricket, which is the pinnacle of international cricket.

The targets get reduced for the first class and lower divisions of cricket. The subsequent clause, 14.1.2 states the minimum runs criterion for matches of shorter durations:

• 150 runs in a match of 3 or 4 days;
• 100 runs in a 2-day match; and
• 75 runs in a 1-day match.

If the team batting second is trailing by at least the minimum runs stated, the opposition has the right to choose to enforce the follow-on.

However, it is not compulsorily to enforce and is often a tactical decision based on factors like:

• Time or days left in the match;
• The workload of bowlers, i.e., if the bowlers need rest after a long inning; or
• The pitch and weather conditions, i.e., following on is more likely if there is a rain forecast on subsequent days.

The minimum runs criterion is adjustable in case the start of the game is delayed by one or more days.

In such cases, clause 14.3 states that the minimum runs criterion for enforcing follow-on is adjusted based on the number of days left in the match.

How to Calculate the Follow-On in Test Cricket

We know the rules for following on in test cricket, but how many runs are needed to enforce the follow-on?

This calculator will help you estimate how many runs you should restrict your opponents to enforce the follow-on or how many runs your team needs to score to avoid it.

To calculate the follow-on position:

• Select whether the match begins on Day 1 or not; if there is no play on day one, select yes on the next day or so on.
• Pick the match type from the choices.
• Enter the runs scored by Team 1, i.e., the team batted first.
• Fill in the runs scored by Team 2, i.e., the team batted second.
• The cricket follow-on calculator will return the lead attained by Team 1 and whether they can enforce the follow-on.

Example: Using the Cricket Follow-On Calculator

Let’s follow the example of an Ashes test, where Australia batted first and put 473/9 on the board. England, in pursuit of that massive score, manages only 237. So does the follow-on rule apply?

To calculate the follow-on situation:

• Select match conditions. Since the match began on day 1, pick Yes for Play on Day 1?
• Pick five days (tests) as match type.
• Enter Australia’s score of 473 as Team 1 score.
• Fill in the Team 2’s score as the English side’s 237 runs.

The cricket follow-on calculator says:

• Team 1 (Australia) leads by 236 runs.
• Team 2 (England) had to score 273 to avoid following on, i.e., they missed out by 36 runs and are now in danger of being asked to follow on.

But the Aussie skipper chooses not to enforce follow-on as their bowlers had already toiled for a day, and there were a couple of days still left in the game.

Australia comes out to bat again and wraps up England to win the match on the 5th day.

An enforced follow-on does not guarantee a win to the team batting first, as there have been three instances when the teams have lost the matches despite enforcing follow-on. There is still a chance for the team to force a draw.