How many times has a team won after following on in Test cricket?
In Test cricket, a follow-on is often enforced when one side has a better opportunity for victory and to reduce the chances of a draw.
The side that batted first can force the opposition to take their second innings immediately after their first if they have scored far fewer runs.
If the first side to bat bowls out the opposition with a lead of at least 200 runs in the first innings, the captain may notify the opposition and umpires that they’d like them to get their pads back on and bat again immediately.
Following on, heaps the pressure on the batting side with a margin of at least 200 runs, leaving the bowlers room to push for victory without having to bat twice.
Usually a death sentence, very few sides have managed to follow on and turn the game on its head in Test cricket.
Here are the 4 times that a team has managed to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat.
4. New Zealand vs England, 2023
England started strongly in Wellington with Joe Root and Harry Brook’s centuries leading them to a first-innings declaration of 435.
They then dismissed New Zealand for 209 and enforced the follow-on.
An improved second innings total of 483 thanks to a ton from skipper Kane Williamson set England a target, with the Black Caps dismissing England just one run short of their target for a famous comeback win.
3. England vs Australia, 1894
The visitors kicked off with a big score of 586, which was replied with a score of 325 for England, leaving them just shy of avoiding the follow on.
The hosts then collected a resilient total of 437 after being put back into bat and dismissed Australia for 166 to claim victory against all odds.
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2. England vs Australia 1981
A patient century from Australia opener John Dyson set up his side to be able to declare with a first innings score of 401.
In reply, England limped their way to 174, with the visitors smelling an early victory and enforcing the follow-on.
But a heroic, run-a-ball century from Ian Botham set his side a much more competitive second innings score, with Bob Willis taking eight wickets to skittle Australia for 166 and seal a famous win.
1. India vs Australia, 2001
Australia started well with a score of 445, courtesy of a Steve Waugh century with Glen McGrath then helping them dismiss the hosts for 171 with bowling figures of four wickets for just 18 runs.
After being asked to follow on, India came out a different beast with 280 and 180 from VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, turning the game on its head and an unlikely follow-on declaration of 657/7.
Six wickets from Harbhajan Singh helped his side dismiss Australia for 212, condemning them to an almost unbelievable 171-run defeat.
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