What Is a Follow-On in Cricket? — Rules, When It's Used & History
The follow-on forces a team that trails by a large margin to bat again immediately. Learn the run-deficit thresholds for each format, why captains choose to enforce or waive it, and how the follow-on has shaped famous Test matches.
The follow-on is a rule in first-class and Test cricket that allows the team batting first to require their opponents to bat again immediately — in their second innings — if that opponent's first-innings total falls short of the required minimum deficit. It is designed to prevent a dominant team from having to bat again unnecessarily when they have built a massive first-innings lead.
What is the follow-on deficit threshold?
The threshold varies by the scheduled length of the match. If the team batting second falls below the threshold, the fielding captain has the option — not the obligation — to enforce the follow-on.
| Match length | Required deficit to enforce follow-on |
|---|---|
| 5-day Test match | 200 runs |
| 3-day match | 150 runs |
| 2-day match | 100 runs |
| 1-day match | 75 runs |
Why would a captain enforce the follow-on?
- To win without batting again — if Team B follows on and is bowled out again for a total less than Team A's first-innings score, Team A wins the match without entering their second innings.
- To exploit a deteriorating pitch — pitches often become harder to bat on as a match progresses. Enforcing the follow-on keeps Team B batting on a pitch that is getting worse, not better.
- To maintain momentum — after bowling out a team cheaply, enforcing the follow-on keeps the fielding side in the game mentally and physically.
Why would a captain waive the follow-on?
Despite having the option, many modern Test captains choose not to enforce the follow-on, even when they have a 200-run lead. The reasons are tactical and practical: bowlers are tired after bowling a team out in their first innings, and rest and recovery matter on the fourth and fifth days. Batting again also gives the leading team more control — they can set a specific, large target rather than hoping to bowl out the chasing team twice more.
The most famous follow-on decision in recent history was Steve Waugh's Australia enforcing the follow-on at Kolkata in 2001, leading to V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid's legendary 376-run partnership and India's improbable victory. That result made many captains more cautious about enforcing the follow-on, even from a dominant position.
Follow-on in limited-overs cricket
The follow-on does not exist in ODI or T20 cricket. Those formats have a fixed innings structure — each team bats once — so the concept of requiring a team to bat again is not applicable. The follow-on is exclusively a Test and first-class cricket rule.
How the follow-on appears in scorecards
When a follow-on is enforced, the scorecard shows both innings for Team B before Team A's second innings begins. The sequence reads: Team A 1st innings → Team B 1st innings → Team B 2nd innings → Team A 2nd innings (if needed). If Team A wins without needing to bat in their second innings, the final innings column is marked as 'not required' or simply absent.
Frequently asked questions
What is the follow-on in cricket?
The follow-on is a rule that allows the team batting first to require their opponents to bat again immediately if their first-innings total falls short by a required deficit — 200 runs in a 5-day Test, 150 runs in a 3-day match. It is optional: the leading captain can choose to enforce or waive it.
How many runs deficit triggers the follow-on in a Test match?
In a 5-day Test match, the deficit threshold is 200 runs. If Team A scores 400 and Team B scores 200 or more, there is no follow-on option. If Team B scores 199 or fewer, Team A's captain can enforce the follow-on.
What happens if the follow-on is enforced?
Team B must begin their second innings immediately, without Team A batting in between. If Team B is bowled out in their second innings for a combined total (1st + 2nd innings) that is still less than Team A's 1st innings total, Team A wins the match without needing to bat again.
Why do some captains not enforce the follow-on?
Enforcing the follow-on requires the bowling side to bowl again without rest, often on day 3 or 4. Tired bowlers are less effective. Many modern captains prefer to bat again themselves — setting a larger, precise target — and then bowl the opposition out when their own bowlers are fresher. The 2001 Kolkata Test, where Australia's follow-on backfired dramatically against India, reinforced this caution.
Is there a follow-on in T20 or ODI cricket?
No. The follow-on only applies to Test and first-class cricket. In T20 and ODI formats, each team bats once and the concept of enforcing a second innings does not exist.