Cricket is a sport that is full of surprises and unpredictable moments. One of the most interesting aspects of cricket is the possibility of a team winning a test match after following on. It is not uncommon for teams to struggle after following on, as they have to bat last on a pitch that has already been worn down. However, on rare occasions, teams have managed to come back from this situation and win the game. In this article, we will look at the cricket facts where four times teams have won a test match after following on.
Cricket Facts:
1. England vs Australia (1894)
One of the most interesting cricket facts about a team that won a test match after following on was in the nineteenth century. The first-ever instance of a team winning a test match after following on occurred during the 1894-95 Ashes series between Australia and England. England and Australia faced off in the first test match on 14 December 1894 at Sydney. The British scored 325 in their first innings, while Australia scored 586 in their first innings. England was forced to follow on and managed to score 437 in their second innings. They set Australia a target of 177. However, Australia, who looked better in the first inning. But they were unable to handle England's bowlers and were bowled out for 166 runs. Even after playing the follow-on, England won the Test by 10 runs.
2. England vs Australia (1981)
The second cricket facts of a team winning a test match after the following on took place during the 1981 Ashes series between England and Australia. In the third test of the series, England scored 174 in their first innings. Ian Botham was the only top-scoring batsman with a valiant 5-. While Australia declared their first innings at 401 for 9. England was forced to follow on and were struggling at 135 for 7 in their second innings. However, Ian Botham played remarkable innings of 149 not out and helped England to set Australia a target of 130. England managed to bowl out Australia for 111 and won the game by 18 runs.
3. India vs Australia (2001)
The third cricket facts of a team winning a test match after the following on happened during the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. In the second test of the series, Australia scored 445 in their first innings. While India was bowled out for 171 in their first innings. Australia enforced the follow-on and India was struggling at 232 for 4 in their second innings. However, VVS Laxman played an incredible innings of 281. While Rahul Dravid scored 180, as India declared their second innings at 657 for 7. Australia was bowled out for 212 in their second innings, and India won the game by 171 runs.
4. New Zealand vs England (2023)
The fourth cricket facts of a team winning a test match after the following on happened during the 2023 Test match between New Zealand and England. With a thrilling one-run victory over England in a classic final-day contest. New Zealand became only the fourth team in history to win a Test match after being forced to follow on. In 1993, West Indies defeated Australia by 1 run in Adelaide Test. After 30 years, New Zealand has done this charisma. Neil Wagner (4/62) was the Kiwis' hero, catching James Anderson behind down the leg side to seal a famous victory for New Zealand at Basin Reserve.
Kane Williamson's 26th Test century on the penultimate day of a topsy-turvy contest gave New Zealand some hope after they were asked to follow on. They were dismissed for only 209 in their first innings in reply to England's 435/8 declared. England needed to chase down 258 runs in the fourth innings to win. And they appeared to be in command when Joe Root (95) and Ben Stokes (33) were at the crease and less than 60 runs were needed. But Wagner and Tim Southee (3/45) dug deep in a tense finish to give New Zealand a thrilling victory and tie the two-match series at one game apiece.