Cricket Follow On Calculator
Check if a cricket team can enforce the follow-on based on innings scores, match length, and delayed starts.
Cricket Follow-On Rules and Calculator
This Cricket Follow-On Calculator checks whether the team batting first can enforce the follow-on under MCC Law 14. Enter match duration, any delayed start, and both first-innings scores to see the lead, the required threshold, and the score Team 2 needed to avoid the follow-on. Pair it with our Bowling Average Calculator and Batting Strike Rate Calculator for deeper match analysis.
Follow-On Thresholds by Match Length
In a five-day Test, the team batting first must lead by at least 200 runs to enforce the follow-on. Three- or four-day matches require a 150-run lead, two-day matches need 100 runs, and one-day matches need 75 runs. If play is delayed, Law 14.3 reduces these thresholds based on how many days were lost before the match began.
Worked Example
Australia scores 473 in a five-day Test and England replies with 237. The lead is 236 runs, above the 200-run threshold, so Australia may enforce the follow-on. England needed at least 273 runs to keep the lead below 200 and avoid being asked to bat again immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the follow-on rule in Test cricket?
Under MCC Law 14.1, a team batting first in a five-day match may enforce the follow-on if it leads by at least 200 runs after the opposing team's first innings. Shorter formats use lower thresholds.
How many runs are needed to enforce the follow-on in a five-day Test?
The team batting first needs a lead of at least 200 runs. If the match started a day late, the threshold drops to 150 runs; two days lost reduces it to 100, and three or more days lost sets it at 75 runs.
Can a team win after following on?
Yes, but it is extremely rare. Only three teams have won a Test match after being asked to follow on, including India's famous win against Australia at Kolkata in 2001.
Is enforcing the follow-on mandatory?
No. The captain of the team batting first chooses whether to enforce it. Factors like bowler fatigue, remaining playing time, pitch conditions, and weather often influence the decision.
What follow-on threshold applies to a three-day match?
A three- or four-day match requires a 150-run lead when play starts on Day 1. If Day 1 is lost, the threshold becomes 100 runs; if two days are lost before play, it becomes 75 runs.
How do I calculate the score needed to avoid the follow-on?
Subtract the follow-on threshold from Team 1's first-innings total. Team 2 must score more than that value to keep the lead below the minimum required for a follow-on.
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