Four times when teams won after being enforced follow-on in test cricket

There have been only four instances when a team has won after being enforced follow-on in test cricket.

Test cricket is the oldest and the traditional format of the game. It finds its origin more than a century ago, when England Cricket Team and Australian Cricket Team locked horns in the first-ever test match in 1877. Unlike ODIs and T20Is, test cricket is played for a period of five days, testing a player’s skill, patience, and endurance.

Test cricket is unique in its own way and what makes it different from the other two formats is the special rules in it and one among them is follow-on. According to rules of follow-on, a team batting first in a test match can force the opposition to bat once again immediately if they have a lead over 200 after first innings. Moreover, enforcing a follow-on is a choice of the captain, and he cannot reverse his decision.

Teams usually enforce follow-on to try to win by an innings and put the pressure on the other team. On most occasions, teams are on back foot when they are enforced follow-on and bat again, and their victory is almost believed to be impossible. However, there have been only four instances in test cricket when teams bounced back and won after being enforced a follow-on. On that note, let’s take a look at the four instances when teams won after being enforced a follow-on.

Four times when teams won after being enforced follow-on in test cricket

1. England vs Australia in 1894

Surprisingly, the first instance when a team won after being enforced follow-on came long back in December 1894 during a clash between England and Australia. The encounter took place at the Sydney Cricket Stadium, where the Jack Blackham-led Australia opted to bat first

With a century by George Giffen (161) and a double ton by Syd Gregory (201), Australia piled up a mammoth total of 586 runs in the first innings. Later, they bundled out England for 325 runs and enforced a follow-on. In the second innings, the Andrew Stoddart-led side made a fabulous comeback with a century by Albert Ward (117) and a half-century by Jack Brown (53).

Posting 437 runs on the scoreboard in the second innings, England set a target of 177 runs for Australia. Left-arm spinner Bobby Peel clinched a six-wicket haul as Australia were bowled out for 166 runs, losing the match by 10 runs.

2. England vs Australia in 1981

In 1981, England once again defeated Australia after being enforced a follow-on. This time, the clash took place at Headingley in Leeds. Led by Kim Hughes, Australia elected to bat first in the encounter and piled up 401/9d with a century by John Dyson (102) and half-centuries by Kim Hughes (89) and Graham Yallop (58).

They bowled out England for just 174 runs, earning a huge lead of 227 runs and then enforced a follow-on. England made a stunning comeback in the second innings and piled up 356/10, setting a target of 130 runs for Australia.

The visitors lost their wickets like a pack of cards and were bowled out for 111 runs, losing the game by 18 runs. Bob Willis clinched an eight-wicket haul to take his take his team to win. Ian Botham, who scored an unbeaten 149 runs for England, won Player of the Match award.

3. India vs Australia in 2001

India were the second team to win a test match after being enforced a follow-on and this time too, it were Australia who were on the receiving end. It was the second match of the three-match series at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata in March 2001, where Sourav Ganguly & Co. crushed the Aussies by 171 runs.

With 445 runs on the scoreboard in first innings after electing to bat first, Australia bowled out India for just 171 runs, earning a lead of 274 runs. After being enforced follow-on, the hosts bounced back with impeccable knocks by VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180).

The duo helped the team reach a gigantic total of 657/7d, setting a target of 384 runs for Australia. Steve Waugh-led side succumbed to the pressure and were bowled out for 121 runs, losing the clash by a huge margin.

4. New Zealand vs England in 2023

New Zealand became the fourth team to register a victory after facing a follow-on in February 2023, during a clash against England in Wellington. The Ben Stokes-led England posted 435/8d in the first innings and bowled out New Zealand for 209 runs.

After being enforced follow-on, New Zealand made a classic comeback and put up 483/10 on the scoreboard, with a century by Kane Williamson (132). England came up with a wonderful batting show in the second innings. However, they fell short of just one run for victory, getting bowled out for 256 runs. Williamson was adjudged Player of the Match for his ton in the second innings.

(List updated till 13th October, 2025)

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