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Can a team bat again after enforcing follow on?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 24, 2026

As per Law 14.1, the follow-on rule for test cricket states that a team batting second can be invited to bat again if they trail by more than 200 runs after the end of their first inning. The decision to enforce follow-on ultimately lies with the captain of the team batting first.

What happens when follow-on is enforced?

The follow-on is a rule in Test cricket that forces the team batting second to bat again immediately after their first innings has finished. In Tests, the follow-on can only be enforced if the team batting first achieves a first innings lead of at least 200 runs.

What is Rule for follow-on in cricket?

1 In a two-innings match of 5 days or more, the side which bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings.

Can a team bat for 5 days?

Theoretically, a cricket team can bat for the entire 5 days of a test match. On each day of a test it is possible to bowl a maximum of 90 overs. So, in theory, it would be possible for one team to bat for 450 overs if they didn't lose all 10 wickets before then.

How many teams have won a Test match after following on?

In the long history of Test cricket, there have been just three instances of a team winning after following on. Coincidentally in all those three matches, Australia was on the losing side. In this list, we will take a look at some of the greatest comebacks in Test history.

19 related questions found

Why Australia did not enforce follow-on?

Giving them a chance of setting a target was the far more dangerous option and gave Pakistan an opportunity to win the match. By not enforcing the follow on, Australia ensured only one team could win the match, and realistically, it never should have been drawn.

Why India did not enforce follow-on?

“The reason Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid didn't enforce a follow-on because they wanted their batsmen to spend more time on the wicket and get runs under their belt because the South Africa series is not too far away. You want Pujara and Kohli to get their magic three-figure mark which has eluded them for a long time.

How is follow-on calculated?

The simple method of calculating follow-on runs in a five-day Test match is subtracting 200 runs from the first-innings total. In the aforementioned case, India will have to score one run more than 378 (578 – 200 = 378) runs to ensure that Root doesn't enforce the follow-on.

Has any team lost after follow-on?

BySlogover. There are only 3 Matches in Test history where Team won after a follow on. Interestingly, all the 3 times the losing team is Australia. 2 times the winner was England and one time India won such match.

Who is the most Test winning captain?

Graeme Smith- 53 Wins

He currently holds the record for most wins as captain in Test cricket. In 109 matches, he has won 53 Tests while losing 28 games and drawing 27 games. He is also the only test captain to play in excess of 100 test matches. (109 – 108 as captain for South Africa, and 1 for ICC).

What is follow-on score for 300?

For a test match of 3 days it is 100. if the team makes a score of above 300 and the difference between the scores of the 1st and 2nd is 200 or more, the first team can ask the other team to take batting of the second team. This is known as follow on. This is the at the discretion of 1st team captain.

When did Australia last enforce the follow-on?

Since Ponting's time at the top, future Australian captains have taken a similar approach, although the last time Australia enforced the follow on came in 2019, when David Warner scored 335 in the first innings against Pakistan to lead the Aussies to an outright victory.

What is innings defeat in cricket?

Sport: Cricket. When a team is bowled out twice for fewer runs than the other team scored in a single inning.

What happens if the Super Over is tied?

A match which goes to a Super Over is officially declared a "tie", and won by the team who score the most runs in the Super Over. If the Super Over also ends in a tie, it is followed by another Super Over. Previously, the winner was typically decided by the number of boundaries scored throughout the match.

Can a test match end in 3 innings?

The third innings concludes with the team that batted twice still trailing the team that batted once. The match ends without playing a fourth innings.

Why Virat Kohli is not playing in Ind vs SA?

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, KL Rahul informed Kohli is suffering from an upper back spasm and hence opted to sit out of the match. Rahul added that Kohli is under the supervision of the physio and is likely to come back in the third and final game of the ongoing Test series in Cape Town.

How is DLS calculated?

According to DLS, a team exhausts its entire resources either when it is bowled out, or when it plays the full quota of overs. So, a score of 300 all out in 48 overs is the same as a score of 300 for 6 in 50 overs (in a 50-over game).

Who is God of IPL?

Rohit Sharma's achievements in T20 cricket as well as his domination in the Indian Premier League definitely qualifies him for the title of being the new God of IPL.

Who is the No 1 captain in test?

#1 Graeme Smith, South Africa - 53 wins

Graeme Smith is easily one of the greatest Test captains in the history of cricket. In a captaincy career spanning 11 years, he led the side a record 109 times.

Who won most Test matches?

As of March 2021, the most successful team in Test cricket, in terms of both wins and win percentage, is Australia, having won 393 of their 830 Tests (47.24%).