<P> If, at the completion of its first innings, Team B's first innings total is 200 or more fewer than Team A's, the captain of Team A may (but is not required to) order Team B to have their second innings next . This is called enforcing the follow on In this case, the usual order of the third and fourth innings is reversed: Team A will bat in the fourth innings . It is rare for a team forced to follow on to win the match . In Test cricket it has only happened three times, although over 285 follow - ons have been enforced: Australia was the losing team on each occasion, twice to England, in 1894 and in 1981, and once to India in 2001 . </P> <P> If the whole of the first day's play of a Test match has been lost because of bad weather or other reasons like bad light, then Team A may enforce the follow on if Team B's first innings total is 150 or more fewer than Team A's . During the 2nd Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley in 2013, England batted first after the first day was lost because of rain . New Zealand, batting second, scored 180 runs fewer than England, meaning England could have enforced the follow on, though chose not to . This is similar to four - day first - class cricket, where the follow on can be enforced if the difference is 150 runs or fewer . If the Test is 2 days or fewer then the "follow - on" value is 100 runs . </P> <P> After 80 overs, the captain of the bowling side may take a new ball, although this is not required. The captain will usually take the new ball: being harder and smoother than an old ball, a new ball generally favours faster bowlers who can make it bounce more variably . The roughened, softer surface of an old ball can be more conducive to spin bowlers, or those using reverse swing . The captain may delay the decision to take the new ball if he wishes to continue with his spinners (because the pitch favours spin). After a new ball has been taken, should an innings last a further 80 overs, then the captain will have the option to take another new ball . </P> <P> A Test match may end in one of six results: </P>

When can a new ball be taken in test cricket