On the very first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia put pressure on the Indian team by batting brilliantly. Australia won the toss and came out to bat first. Australia got off to a strong start, led by 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who provided a solid foundation with a quick half-century.
Konstas started the innings aggressively:
After Konstas returned to the pavilion, Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja also completed their half-centuries and strengthened the innings. The Indian bowlers were relentlessly attacked by the Australian batsmen. Steve Smith completed the remaining task. He scored 140 runs playing an aggressive innings. Till the end, the Indian bowlers had to struggle throughout the innings, as Australia posted a massive total of 474 runs.
Australia Dominantes on Day-2 of Boxing Day Test
When is follow-on applicable in the Test cricket format?
Follow-on is applicable in the Test cricket format. According to this rule, when the team batting first makes a huge score. Then Other team batting second is not able to reduce the difference between its score and the score of the opposition team to less than 200 runs. There will arise a situation of follow-on. The team scoring more runs can invite the other team to bat again in the match.
How Can India Avoid the Follow-On?:
If the Indian team wants to avoid follow-on, the Indian team must focus on batting without succumbing to the pressure of Australia’s towering total. Australia has put up a huge score of 474 runs in front of India. In such a situation, there are chances of follow-on for the team. To prevent the follow-on, India needs to score at least 275 runs. Otherwise, Australia can make India bat again.
