What is the follow on score in test cricket
A follow-on score in Test cricket refers to a number that can obligate the team batting second to take their turns at bat consecutively, without an intervening turn by the team that batted first. Its purpose is to press home the advantage obtained from having taken a substantial lead on first innings, and therefore this concept contributes significantly towards shaping the tactics and strategies employed in a game.
The Concept of Follow-On
Understanding it
A follow-on occurs during Test cricket when Team A, after completing its first innings, forces Team B – which has scored fewer runs – to bat again immediately. The objective behind this strategy is for Team A to strengthen its competitive position by avoiding another round of batting unless truly necessary, thus saving time and potentially forcing Team B into a pressure-filled situation.
The Score Criteria
For a follow-on to be enforced in Test Cricket, under the current Law 13.1 (as implemented by Marylebone Cricket Club or MCC), there must be at least 200 runs difference between teams’ scores if the match is a 5-day test; while this falls down to 150 in a three- or four-day match. The fielding side’s captain makes the final decision whether to enforce it or not once the criteria adheres.
Tactical Implications
Enforcing ‘the follow-on’, like most strategic choices within sport, carries both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, giving your opposition less rest might increase probability of mistakes due mental fatigue. Alternatively, as runs cannot be scored while bowling, enforcing may seem unattractive especially if weather conditions are prime for batting.
An additional set of strategic considerations come about because enforcing follow-on put the enforcer at risk of ending up having to bat last on deteriorating pitch where bowlers would start gaining more assistance increasing chances of a batting collapse.
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Notable Instances
Some historic incidents have offered quite memorable lessons regarding the follow-on. One such instance took place during 2001 Kolkata Test between India and Australia, where for the first time in more than a century, a team won after being forced to follow. Australians enforced the follow-on upon Indians who had trailed by staggering 274 runs but an inspiring partnership between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid scripted one greatest turnarounds in cricket history as they lead their nation to victory leading Aussies to rethink their aggressive follow-on strategy.
Another episode in England saw English skipper Nasser Hussain’s decision not to enforce follow-on against South Africa despite leading with massive 233-run margin due to fear of repeat incident like Kolkata test which led England’s strategic scheme under criticism.
A Less Frequent Scenario Now
In contemporary cricket, applying “follow-on” is becoming less common mainly because teams are now aware that sometimes it can backfire badly. Also modern understanding of game dynamics suggests possessing capability of setting a target plus remaining fresh and injury-free tends to be more advantageous over merely forcing your opponent into potentially pressured situations generically associated with enforcing the follow on.
Considering Follow-On Conditions
Various factors influence deciding whether or not implement ‘the follow-on’; these include: primacy games played—the preference winning outright rather than drawing; pitch conditions probable weather forecast among other considerations including aforementioned bowling last second innings on deteriorating surface. It may also be seen as opportunity since batters usually tend make mistakes while operating under pressure cooker environment psychologically burdened need avoid defeat instead focusing purely score as many runs possible within limited time-frame.
There’s no exact science behind ‘the follow-on’, it brings forth its own blend risks rewards leaving final verdict dependent various match-specific circumstances captain’s discerning insight adding extra depth dimension this beautiful game cricket.
