The Cricket Follow on Calculator is used to find whether a team batting in the second innings of a Test cricket match can be forced to follow on by the opposing team.
The follow-on rule in Test cricket states that if a team batting first scores 200 or more runs, and the team batting second scores less than 200 runs, the team batting first can ask the team batting second to “follow on” and bat again immediately.
Let’s consider a scenario where Team A scores 400 runs in their first innings, and Team B scores 150 runs in their second innings. In this case, Team A can ask Team B to follow on, as they have scored more than 200 runs in their first innings and Team B has scored less than 200 runs in their second innings.
Test Cricket Follow on Chart
| Team A First Innings Score | Team B Second Innings Score | Follow On Applicable? |
|---|---|---|
| 200 or more | Less than 200 | Yes |
| 200 or more | 200 or more | No |
| Less than 200 | Any score | No |
If Team A scores 200 or more runs in their first innings and Team B scores less than 200 runs in their second innings, the follow-on rule applies, and Team A can ask Team B to “follow on” and bat again immediately.
And if Team A scores 200 or more runs in their first innings and Team B scores 200 or more runs in their second innings, the follow-on rule does not apply, and Team B cannot be forced to follow on.
If Team A scores less than 200 runs in their first innings, the follow-on rule does not apply, regardless of Team B’s second innings score.
Cricket Follow on Calculation Formula
The formula to determine whether the follow-on rule applies in a Test cricket match is as follows:
If (Team A's First Innings Score) - (Team B's Second Innings Score) >= 200, then the follow-on rule applies.Let’s break down this formula with an example:
Suppose Team A scores 450 runs in their first innings, and Team B scores 180 runs in their second innings.
Putting these values into the formula:
- (Team A’s First Innings Score) = 450
- (Team B’s Second Innings Score) = 180
- (450) – (180) = 270
- 270 >= 200, so the follow-on rule applies.
Therefore, Team A can ask Team B to follow on and bat again immediately.
How many runs to avoid follow-on in county cricket?
In county cricket, the team batting first must score at least 200 runs for the follow-on to be enforced. If the team batting first scores less than 200 runs, the follow-on cannot be applied, regardless of the score of the team batting second.
For example, Team A scores 190 runs in their first innings, and Team B scores 150 runs in their second innings, the follow-on rule cannot be applied, even though the difference between the two scores is 40 runs.
The key difference is that in county cricket, the team batting first needs to score at least 200 runs for the follow-on to be a possibility, while in Test cricket, the team batting first needs to score 200 or more runs for the follow-on to be applied.
What is follow on rule in test cricket?
The follow-on rule in Test cricket is a regulation that allows the team batting first in a match to force the team batting second to immediately bat again, without being allowed to take the second team’s first innings to its conclusion.
The key points about the follow-on rule in Test cricket are:
- 200-run lead: If the team batting first scores 200 or more runs, and the team batting second scores less than 200 runs, the team batting first can enforce the follow-on.
- Mandatory compliance: If the follow-on is enforced, the team batting second must immediately begin their second innings, without being allowed to complete their first innings.
- Tactical advantage: The follow-on rule is a powerful tactical tool for the team batting first, as it can force the opposition to bat again immediately, without the opportunity to rest or regroup.
- Scoring differential: The minimum scoring differential required for the follow-on to be enforced is 200 runs. If the team batting first scores 400 and the team batting second scores 150, the follow-on can be enforced.
- No follow-on if 200+ scored: If the team batting second scores 200 or more runs, even if they are still behind the team batting first, the follow-on cannot be enforced.