First-class cricket

First-class cricket matches are those of at least three days length in which both teams have two innings each, and which involve either international teams or the highest division of domestic competition. Generally, matches are eleven players a side but there have been exceptions to this.

Conduct of a game of first-class cricket

The game is conducted similarly to Test cricket, though usually of a maximum length of three or four days rather than the five of Test cricket (though a few are). (Technically, Test cricket is a form of first-class cricket. However, the term "first class" is usually used to refer to domestic competition only.) Around the world, these teams are usually representative of internal political divisions — for instance, Australia's domestic first-class competition is between state representative teams. Due to the time demands of such a competition, first-class cricketers are mostly paid professionals.

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A first class match played domestically has the same rules as Test matches, except for the number of days of play and the follow on rule. Normally, the matches are conducted over three or four days. However, the laws allow for two or one day first class matches as well.

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The follow-on rule

The follow-on minimum lead requirement in first-class cricket is:

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• Five or more days — 200 runs
• Three or four days — 150 runs
• Two days — 100 runs
• One day — 75 runs

If the whole first day of play is abandoned without a ball being bowled, then the day is ignored for the sake of calculating follow on. For example, if the first day of a four-day match is abandoned due to weather or other reasons, then the match is counted as a three-day one for the sake of determining follow on. (This would not make a difference in four-day matches because the follow on requirements for four and three days is the same.) Note that only the first day can be ignored in this calculation. If more than one day is abandoned, the second and subsequent days are still counted for the calculation of follow-ons.

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