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For decades, Australian cricket has been defined by a ruthless brand of dominance that rarely sees them playing from behind. In many ways you could say that they invented Baz Ball while England just coveted it and named it. Enforcing a follow-on against them is one of the ultimate badges of honour in Test cricket, standing as a testament to bowling supremacy.
Following their extraordinary capitulation at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, the powerful Australians suffered the ultimate indignity. It marks only the fifth time since the mid-1980s that an opposing captain has had the opportunity, and quite possibly the nerve, to tell Australia to bat again.
Here’s a look back at the five most recent times Australia have been forced to follow on in the modern era.
1. October 2026 – South Africa vs. Australia (Gqeberha)
The most recent entry on this exclusive list took place during the Australia tour to South Africa. After South Africa built a mammoth first-innings total of 425/9 declared, anchored by a masterful, gritty century from captain Temba Bavuma (179), the Proteas unleashed a relentless bowling assault.
Led by a fierce five-wicket haul from Marco Jansen, the Australian batting lineup was dismantled for a meagre 99 runs in their first innings.
Faced with a massive 326-run deficit, South Africa ruthlessly enforced the follow-on. Despite a heroic, fighting counterattack from Travis Head, who struck 121 in the second dig, the Australian top order fell apart under the relentless pressure. The Proteas wrapped up an emphatic victory by an innings and 31 runs, leaving the cricketing world stunned by the sheer vulnerability of the Australian batting card.
2. January 2019 – Australia vs. India (Sydney)
Before the disaster in Gqeberha, the last team to make Australia follow on was Virat Kohli’s formidable Indian side during the 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Playing at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), India batted first and piled on a staggering 622/7 declared, fuelled by a brilliant 193 from Cheteshwar Pujara and an explosive 159 not out from Rishabh Pant.
In reply, an Australian batting line-up heavily depleted by suspensions collapsed against India’s spin maestro Kuldeep Yadav, who picked up 5/99. Australia were bundled out for 300, trailing by 322 runs, prompting Kohli to gleefully enforce the follow-on.
It was the first time Australia had been asked to follow on at home in 31 years. inclement weather eventually stepped in to save the hosts from defeat, resulting in a drawn match, it cemented India’s historic first-ever series win in Australia.
Also read: Where does Matt Renshaw rank in the eyes of the ICC after conquering Kingsmead?
3. August 2005 – England vs. Australia (Nottingham)
To find the instance before Sydney, one must travel back to arguably the greatest Test series of the 21st century: the 2005 Ashes. During the pivotal fourth Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, a fiercely confident England side took total control of the match. Michael Vaughan’s men posted 477 in their first innings, thanks to a superb century from Andrew Flintoff.
What followed was pure theatre. England’s legendary swing merchant Simon Jones ripped through the star-studded Australian line-up, taking 5/44 to skittle the visitors for just 218. Vaughan did not hesitate to enforce the follow-on against Ricky Ponting’s legendary side.
Though Australia fought back valiantly in their second innings to score 387, setting England a tense target of 129, the psychological damage was done. England scrambled home to win by three wickets, taking a crucial 2-1 series lead. Simon Jones injured himself and bowled just four overs in Australia’s second innings – he never played another Test after that.
4. October 1988 – Pakistan vs. Australia (Karachi)
Stepping back into the 20th century, the fourth most recent occurrence saw Allan Border’s developing Australian team hit a roadblock during their tour of Pakistan. In the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan batted first and compiled a massive total of 469, driven by an exceptional, 211 from Javed Miandad and a disciplined 94 from Shoaib Mohammad.
Australia’s first-innings response was a complete disaster. Facing the legendary left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim, who was turned the ball sharply to claim figures of 5/35, the Australian batting order dissolved for a paltry 165.
Trailing by 304 runs, they were promptly ordered to follow on by Pakistani captain Imran Khan. The second innings offered no redemption; Iqbal Qasim and Abdul Qadir ripped through them again, bowling Australia out for 116. Pakistan completed a brutal victory by an innings and 188 runs.
5. January 1988 – Australia vs. England (Sydney)
The fifth most recent time occurred during the Bicentennial Test match at the SCG. In a historic encounter celebrating 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet, England won the toss, chose to bat, and ground out a robust first-innings total of 425. The innings was framed by a resilient 139 from opener Chris Broad and contributions in the 40’s from Martyn Moxon, Tim Robinson and Bruce French.
Australia’s response lacked the necessary fortitude. Against the disciplined seam-bowling clinic of England’s Graham Dilley (3/54) and the left-arm orthodox spin of John Emburey, Australia collapsed to 214 all out. England skipper Mike Gatting wasted no time in enforcing the follow-on with a lead of 211.
This time, however, Australia showed great resilience. Anchored by a marathon, undefeated 184 from David Boon, Australia batted out 135 overs in their second innings to reach 328/2, successfully forcing a defiant draw.
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