What is the Follow-On Rule in Cricket? When Is It Applied in Test Matches? Everything You Need to Know

Imagine a Test match where one team scores 500 runs in the first innings while the opposing team performs poorly and scores only 150 runs.

The captain of the stronger team has a choice: should his team bat again or ask his opponent to bat immediately? This is where follow-up rules come into play.

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The follow-on rule in cricket is a specific rule primarily applicable to Test matches that allows the team that bats first to require the opposing team to bat again immediately after the first innings if it has established a significant lead in the first innings. ball.

In Test cricket, the difference must be at least 200 runs. This rule can save time in games where one team dominates.

The latest example of follow-through rules in cricket occurred on December 17, 2024, during the third Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane.

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However, India fought back heroically. Follow-up rules are key strategies that can change the course of a game.

Who determines the subsequent rules?

The decision to perform follow-up actions is not automatic; it depends on the team leader leading the team. Factors influencing this decision include:

• Course conditions and weather.
• Time remaining in the game.
• A bowler’s physical condition and level of fatigue after an inning.

Rule 14.2 of the Rules of Cricket states: “The captain shall notify the opposing captain and the umpire of his/her intention to pursue this option. Once notified, the decision cannot be changed.”

Why use it?

Implementing follow-up actions can bring several strategic advantages:

• Puts pressure on the opponents: This puts psychological pressure on the batsmen as they are already struggling in the first innings.
• Reduces the probability of a draw: By forcing the second team to hit the ball again sooner, you can reduce the probability of a draw.

However, there are also potential disadvantages:

• Bowler Fatigue: Bowlers may experience fatigue after bowling an innings, which may affect their performance in the second innings.
• Pitch Deterioration: Batting at the end can be challenging due to pitch wear and tear, which can be more beneficial to the bowlers as the match progresses.

How many teams lost after the follow-on rule was implemented?

In Test cricket, there have been four instances where a team lost the match after executing the follow-on. Here are the details for these competitions:

Australia vs England (1894-95)

• Location: Sydney
• Loss margin: 10 times

Australia vs England (1981)

• Location: Leeds
• Loss margin: 18 times

India vs Australia(2001)

• Location: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Loss margin: 171 times

New Zealand vs England(2023)

• Location: Wellington
• Loss margin: 1 round

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The latest example of the follow-through rule in cricket occurred on December 17, 2024, during the third Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane.

In this game, the Australian team scored an astonishing 445 runs in the first innings. India were under immense pressure and needed to score 246 runs to avoid being asked to follow. At one point, they were scoring just 51 runs for 4 wickets, which highlighted their precarious situation.

If India fails to reach the target, Australia can enforce a follow-up, requiring India to bat again immediately, without interruption, which will seriously affect India’s chances of winning or drawing.

However, India managed to avoid the follow-up by scoring a total of 246 runs in the first innings in the third Test against Australia at the Gabba on December 17, 2024.

Faced with huge pressure, India was at 167 for 6 and needed 79 more runs to avoid the follow-up. Ravindra Jadeja played a key role and scored 41 points, while Nitish Kumar Reddy also contributed.

Although rain disrupted play and heightened tensions, the pair managed to stabilize the set. Ultimately, whether India can surpass the subsequent target will be crucial to keeping their chances of the match alive.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion