Cricket Follow On — Rules, Threshold, and Enforcement Decisions
A complete guide to the cricket follow on — what it means, the run deficit thresholds by format, and when captains choose to enforce or waive it.
The follow on is a rule in cricket that allows the team batting first to make the opposition bat again immediately, without themselves batting a second time, if the opposition's first innings total falls sufficiently behind. The follow on is designed to maintain competitive matches when one team establishes a very large lead early in a multi-innings game — most commonly in Test cricket.
Follow On Thresholds
| Format | Lead Required to Enforce Follow On |
|---|---|
| Test cricket (5-day) | 200 runs or more |
| Test cricket (3 or 4 days) | 150 runs or more |
| First-class (2-day) | 100 runs or more |
| One-day matches (1 or 2 innings) | 75 runs or more |
How the Follow On Works
If the batting side in the first innings scores a total that falls below the follow on threshold relative to the first side's first innings score, the team batting first can immediately ask the opposition to bat again. For example, in a Test match: if Team A scores 500, and Team B scores only 280 (a deficit of 220), Team A can enforce the follow on and ask Team B to bat again immediately. Team B must then try to avoid an innings defeat.
When Captains Waive the Follow On
Captains do not always enforce the follow on even when eligible. Reasons for waiving include: giving exhausted bowlers time to rest while the team pads its lead; not wanting to bat last on a deteriorating pitch; preserving bowlers for a crucial fourth innings charge; and if the team's first innings lead is large enough that victory seems certain regardless. The 2001 Eden Gardens Test famously saw Australia waive the follow on — only to see India score 657 and win.
Famous Follow On Victories
- 2001: India vs Australia, Eden Gardens — India followed on 274 behind and won by 171 runs
- 1981: England vs Australia, Headingley — England followed on 227 behind and won by 18 runs (Botham's Ashes)
- 1894: England vs Australia — England followed on and won, first team to do so in Test history
Frequently asked questions
What is the follow on threshold in Test cricket?
In a five-day Test match, the team batting first can enforce the follow on if the opposition's first innings total is 200 or more runs behind their own total. The threshold drops to 150 runs for matches scheduled for three or four days.
Can a team bat again after following on?
Yes. The follow on only means the opposition bats immediately. If the following-on team avoids an innings defeat and the match continues, both sides can bat multiple times as needed until a result is reached or the match ends in a draw.