Test Cricket is regarded as the best format of the game as it requires a lot of patience, grit and determination. Over the years there have been many fiercest battles between bat and ball in the longest format of the game that have kept players as well as fans on their toes. The staggering competition between bat and ball has kept Test cricket alive and with the growing advent of the T20s around the world, this format continues to deliver staggering encounters.
3 Teams who have won a Test after getting a follow-on
Test cricket over the years has been an exciting battle. Games have gone down the wire and there have been many nail-bitters. Apart from this, there have been a few instances where teams have been completely down but have won the game. In this piece, we take a look at 3 Teams who have won a Test after getting a follow-on.
Teams to win after the Follow-on:
1) ENG vs AUS in 1894
2) ENG vs AUS in 1981
3) IND vs AUS in 2001
4) NZ vs ENG in 2023Advertisement— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 28, 2023
England against Australia in 1981Â
The Ashes Test series between England and Australia have always given fans something to cheer about. The 1981 series between the two teams was another moment where a staggering battle between bat and ball was on the cards. However, among all the five games, the third match of the series was the most enthralling one. Despite being out in the game, England emerged out to be victorious. After Australia posted a mammoth first innings total of 401 runs, England managed just 174 runs, conceding a lead of 227 runs. They were enforced a follow on but they batted staggering well and posted 356 runs this time around, setting Australia a target of 129 runs. Not many expected them to win the game. But they bowled staggeringly well and rattled Australia for just 111 runs to win the game by the margin of 18 runs.
India against Australia in 2001Â
The Test series between India and Australia in 2001 is scripted in the record books as it saw many records being created and shattered. The series was also host to a game where team won a Test after getting a follow-on. It was the second Test of the series when India produced a valiant effort and bagged a staggering win. The game was mostly known for the heroics of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. After Australia posted a gigantic total of 445 runs in the first innings, India was bundled out for just 171 runs, conceding a lead of 284 runs. The visitors then enforced a follow-on. But India produced a magnificent effort with the bat and posted 657 runs on the board, setting a target of 373 runs for the visitors to chase. They then bowled exceptionally well and rattled out the opposition for just 212 runs to bag the game by the margin of 171 runs.
New Zealand against England in 2023Â
Another Instance of the team winning the game after getting a follow-on came in the Test series between New Zealand and England in 2023. After England won the first game 267, the Kiwis made a staggering comeback in the second and snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat by just one run. Batting first, England posted a total of 435 runs on the board and then bundled out the hosts for just 209 runs, taking a massive lead of 226 runs. They enforced the follow on but this time New Zealand produced a magnificent effort and amassed 483 runs on the board, setting England a target of 257 runs. The visitors batted well but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. With just 2 runs needed in the end with 1 wicket in hand, the kiwis struck the blow and won the game by just 1 run to level the series.
Celebration in crowd after the historic 1 run win by Kiwis. pic.twitter.com/LUkNIpYBD6
Advertisement— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 28, 2023
