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Cricket First-Innings Follow-On Eligibility

Compare first-innings scores with MCC follow-on thresholds for match length and the day play first starts.

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How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
  2. Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
  3. Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.

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Formula and method

At 500 versus 300, the 200-run lead meets the five-day threshold. The second side needs a total of 301 runs to avoid follow-on eligibility.

Lead = Team1_score - Team2_score; Enforce = round(if_else(Day1_play, if_else(Day2_play, if_else(Day3_play, if_else(Day4_play, Length_of_match1, Length_of_match2), Length_of_match3), Length_of_match4), Length_of_match5)); Runs_needed = one_way(Team1_score - Enforce + 1)

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Play on Day 1?
Yes
Match type
Five day (Test)
Team batting first (Team1)
500 runs
Team batting second (Team 2)
300 runs
Team 1 lead by
200 runs
Runs needed by Team 2 to avoid follow on
301

Assumptions and limitations

  • Uses MCC 2017 Code fourth edition 2026 Law 14 for two-innings matches, assuming no competition-specific or reserve-day override. A lead equal to the threshold qualifies; the first batting side may choose whether to enforce. The score needed to avoid is a total first-innings score, one run above the equality boundary.
  • Editable controls retain the supported captured branches; clear an unknown and supply independent known quantities. A singular or underdetermined inverse may remain incomplete.

Common questions

What assumptions apply?

Uses MCC 2017 Code fourth edition 2026 Law 14 for two-innings matches, assuming no competition-specific or reserve-day override. A lead equal to the threshold qualifies; the first batting side may choose whether to enforce. The score needed to avoid is a total first-innings score, one run above the equality boundary.

Can I solve an unknown?

Clear an editable unknown and provide enough independent quantities in the displayed units. Discrete counts must remain whole numbers.

References

Law14 eligibility includes an equal lead. The minimum whole first-innings score to avoid follow-on is first score minus threshold plus1. Normalize captured150.00001 selector aliases to the statutory150-run threshold with round in the hidden threshold calculation, preserving every distinct match-length choice and option ID. First-innings runs must be nonnegative whole numbers.

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