Most cricket fans, including regular and new ones, might have heard the term “follow-on” rule while watching test matches. Although the rule sounds confusing, the concept is simple when explained clearly.
The follow-on rule is one such key element for a team’s strategy that can alter the game’s outcome. To explain in simpler terms, this rule diminishes the possibility of a draw match, thereby increasing the likelihood of a definitive result.
If you’re a newbie or a routine viewer, this guide will shed light on what exactly the rule is about, how it works, when it is effective, its significance, pros, and cons.
About Follow-On Rule
The Follow-On Rule is a boon for the teams that batted first after gaining a massive lead. They can enforce this rule after the second batting team’s first innings gets concluded, and must bat again for another innings without any gap.
As per the rule, if the first batting team takes a dominating lead after the completion of the first innings, they can proceed with the follow-on.
In other words, if the teams batting second falls far behind the first batting side (in terms of runs), then the team that batted first has the option to enforce the rule.
This adds extra pressure on the second batting team after undergoing a grueling period against the opponent team’s formidable bowling attack.
How Follow-On Rule work in Test Cricket?
The follow-on rule in test cricket works depending on the lead taken by the first batting team as well as the duration of the match in the following ways:
| Test Match Duration | Minimum Lead After First Innings (In Terms of Runs) |
| 5-Day Test Match | 200 Runs |
| 3 or 4-Day Test Match | 150 Runs |
| 2-Day Test Match | 100 Runs |
| 1-Day Test Match | 75 Runs |
The above conditions are imposed according to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) laws of cricket to ensure that teams do not enforce a follow-on randomly, thereby avoiding an unfair advantage over the opponent team.
Example to Understand the Follow-on Rule
Let’s consider a simple example of a 5-day test match to understand the concept of the follow-on rule. Suppose Team A scores 500 runs in the first innings and Team B, batting second, scores 300 in their second innings. Then, Team A fulfills the minimum criteria of taking a 200-run lead after the first innings and can enforce this rule by asking Team B to bat again immediately without any break.
As a consequence, Team A can skip batting in the second innings for a moment and can add double pressure on Team B to perform better than in their previous innings.
If Team B manages to score just 50 runs in their second innings, then Team A wouldn’t be required to bat again and will easily secure a commanding victory by an innings of 150 runs.
Who Decides to Enforce the Follow-On and Why It is Important?
The captain of the first batting team has the authority to declare a follow-on by fulfilling the predetermined lead in the first innings (based on the duration of the match).
The trailing team would be compelled to bat again instantly, so that the leading team shortens the time available. This prevents the batting side from adopting a defensive and time-consuming strategy to end the match in a draw.
There are instances where pitch conditions deteriorate as the game progresses, thereby making batting much more complicated. Therefore, the trailing team would have less chances of a successful outcome compared to the leading side.
Test Matches Where Teams Won After a Follow-On
So far, there has been only few instances where teams won a test match after a follow-on starting from England’s 10-run triumph over Australia in 1894 till New Zealand’s 1-run thrilling victory against England in 2023.
The following list highlights the victories in those four test matches where teams like England, India, and New Zealand survived after being enforced a follow-on by their opponents:
| Winner | Opponent Team | Month and Year | Venue | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| England | Australia | December 1894 | Sydney | Australia: 586 in 172.3 overs England: 325 in 140.3 overs | England (Follow-On): 437 in 181.4 overs Australia: 166 in 68 overs |
| England | Australia | July 1981 | Leeds | Australia: 401/9 (declared) in 155.2 overs England: 74 in 50.5 overs | England (Follow-On): 356 in 87.3 overs Australia: 111 in 36.1 overs |
| India | Australia | March 2001 | Eden Gardens | Australia: 445 in 131.5 overs India: 171 in 58.1 overs | India (Follow-On): 657/7 (declared) in 178 overs Australia: 212 in 68.3 overs |
| New Zealand | England | February 2023 | Wellington | England: 435/8 (declared) in 87.1 overs New Zealand: 209 (in 53.2 overs) | New Zealand (Follow-On): 483 in 162.3 overs England: 256 in 74.2 overs |
Pros and Cons of Declaring the Follow-on Rule in Cricket
The following are the advantages and limitations of the leading team by enforcing a follow-on rule in test cricket:
Benefits:
- Adds psychological pressure on the trailing team to score more runs.
- Minimizing the chances of draw outcomes.
- Easy for bowlers to carry momentum in the second innings.
- Higher chances to secure winnings, particularly by an innings.
- Effective time management to complete an innings and secure a victory without requiring to bat again in the second innings.
Drawbacks:
- At times, bowlers could lose their form after bowling an entire innings and might not be able to deliver their best performance when asked to bowl again.
- Fewer chances for batters to set up a challenging target, as most often, captains risk their momentum by enforcing a follow-on.
- There have been multiple instances where the trailing teams recovered after a follow-on. So, the leading team captains should take cautionary measures, analyzing the past records before enforcing this rule on the opponents.
Overall Facts
As the follow-on rule has its pros and cons, it becomes important for the leading team captains to make strategically beneficial decisions during matches.
Also, the past examples highlight how the follow-on rule favors both the leading and trailing sides in a test match, which adds spice to the longest and traditional format of cricket.