The follow-on scenario in cricket is such that a team that scores much less than the other in the first innings will have to “follow on” if the first team so wishes, that is bat their second innings immediately after their first. The follow-on which is allowable by the batting team is aimed at reducing the probability of a tie by quickening the scoring rate of the second batsman.
When was Follow-on in Test Cricket First Observed?
It was the common practice to have the team that was behind in the first innings (even if the deficit was huge) bat again, thus making it a follow-on for the team batting second, when the first instance was documented in 1787. In addition, the rule in 1980 was made optional with the conditions of a deficit of 200 runs in a five-day match, 75 runs in a one-day match, 150 runs in three or four days, and 100 runs over two days.
What is Follow-on in Test Cricket?
The follow-on rule in Test cricket specifies that the team batting second will have to start the second innings right after the conclusion of their first. Only when the team batting first has made at least 200 runs in the first innings of a Test can the follow-on be applied.
The follow-on situation is limited to cricket’s double-batting formats like international Test matches and domestic first-class cricket. In most other cricket formats, a side cannot win a match unless three innings are played at least. If the end of play is reached with fewer than three innings having been played, the game will end in a draw.
Who Decides on a Follow-on?
It is the captain of the team that batted first in the game who has the power to impose the follow-on. If his/her team is on top and can get a result quicker by bowling the opposing team out twice ahead of their first innings total, the captain may opt for the follow-on.
What is the Absolute Minimum Lead to Trigger Follow-on?
The lead required for the teams to activate the follow-on according to the match duration is specified in Law 14 of the Laws of Cricket.
A team must have an advantage of at least 200 runs to be able to apply the follow-on rule in the case of a five-day or longer test.
In the case of domestic First-Class cricket competitions like Ranji Trophy, the team will have to hold a lead of more than 150 runs to make follow-on claim. The lead required in two-day games is 100 runs; in one-day games, it is 75 runs.
Reasons for Follow-on Requirement in Test Cricket
One of the primary reasons for the imposition of a follow-on is to compel a result and thereby eliminate the draw by applying more pressure on the opponent, as they have already scored less than the required amount.
Furthermore, this also gives a boost to the morale of the bowlers since they are the ones who will have to take another ten wickets with the momentum in their favor after just recently conquering the opposing batters.
Moreover, this tactic not only conveys an aggressive message to the opposition but can also be psychologically beneficial as it puts the opponents on the defensive after having been dismissed cheaply once.
Drawbacks of Imposing a Follow-on in Test Cricket
Despite the fact that there are not many disadvantages, one of the major ones is the risk of bowlers getting exhausted after the complete innings. The bowlers may not be sharp right away in the second inning, and the batting team would thus get accustomed and make runs.
Moreover, if a follow-on is imposed, the team will have to bat last, which might not be a good decision all the time, specially taking into account the deterioration of the pitches on the last days of a Test match. The cracks and a dying surface are more favorable to opposing bowlers, and the idea of winning a Test match by batting last can sometimes prove to be very difficult.
In 2001, there was a situation where the team that enforced follow-on lost the Test match on the very last day.
India Vs. Australia Kolkata 2001 Test Match
The visiting team, Australia, scored 445 runs in the first innings of the second Test and, on the other hand, the Indian batsmen could only manage 171 runs, where the only notable scorer was V. V. S. Laxman with 59 runs followed by Rahul Dravid with 25 runs. The only bright spot for India was Harbhajan Singh, whose bowling included a hat-trick of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne.
The Australians then enforced the follow-on.
In their second innings, India made it to a whopping 657/7 (a lead of 383) before declaring just before lunch on the final day. By that time, the Australians had scored 161/3 and a draw seemed the most probable outcome. Suddenly though, in just 31 balls, the Australian team skittled out for five wickets at the cost of just 8 runs.
Finally, India got the victory when Australia’s second innings total read 212. India’s 171-run victory was, by far, the biggest one among the team’s four Test wins.
The Indian team turned the situation around and conquered the Australian team after being forced to follow-on. And it was the third occurrence in the history of Test cricket when a team won the match after being forced to follow-on.
The aforementioned India vs. Australia Test match in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 2001, is one of the classic instances when a side won a match after being forced to follow-on. Though it is generally an indication of which side is in control of the match, such incidents have made the captains rethink the strategy of enforcing the follow-on.
