One of the most popular sports in the world, cricket is a game of skill, athleticism, and strategy. A pivotal factor in the outcome of matches and tournaments, cricket teams can use a range of cricket fielding positions in an attempt to counter the styles of different batters and to capitalise on the strengths of their bowlers.
The captain is usually responsible for positioning fielders strategically in order to enhance the team’s chances of getting a batter out, and preventing runs from being scored. With the setup and choice of fielders being an important factor in a match’s outcome, it can make watching much more enjoyable if you have an understanding of the captain’s decision making and fielding tactics.
However, with so many possible fielding positions, unique names and multiple areas of the field, if you are new to the sport, following along with the commentary and the fielding team’s approach and tactics can get confusing pretty quickly.
In this guide we’ll cover all the fielding positions and explain their role and purpose. By the end of the guide you should have a full understanding of all the fundamental cricket fielding positions, their responsibilities & desired skills, and the areas of the cricket field which are often reference in relation to the fielding team’s placement.
Understanding Fielding Positions
In a standard cricket match, the fielding team has 11 players on the cricket pitch. One of these fielders is the bowler and the other specialised position is the wicket keeper.
The specific location and placement of the remaining 9 fielding positions is often determined by and based upon a number of factors including the weather, the game format, tactics, the type of bowler and the batter’s strengths and weaknesses.
Two terms that are used often in the names of cricket fielding positions, and to describe where they are located are “The Off Side” and “The Leg Side” of the field.
In order to display these two main areas of the field, the images below show an imaginary line running down the middle of the field and through both the middle stumps and to the opposite boundary.
• The Off Side of a Cricket Field – is the side closest to the batter’s bat
• The Leg Side (AKA “On Side”) of a Cricket Field – is the side closest to the batter’s legs
As the image above shows, the name of each side depends on whether or not the batter is left or right handed.
Cricket Fielding Positions Jargon
As outlined below, there are lots of variations of each position. It can help to remember that in cricket –
Distance-Based Terms
• Silly or Sillier means – Very close to the batter
• Short or Shorter – Close to the batter, just within the infield
• Deep or Deeper – Means closer to the boundary
• Backward – Used to describe fielder positions behind the batters’ crease
• Forward – Fielder in front of the batter’s crease
Directional Terms
Forward – in front of the active batter
Leg / On Side – the side of the field closest to the batter’s legs. If the batter is right-handed, the leg side is to his/her left.
Please see image above.
Off Side – the side closest to the batter’s bat. If the batter is right-handed, the off side is to the batter’s right.
Please see image above
Square – laterally in line with the batter’s crease. Directly to the left or to the right of the batter / at a 90 degree angle, is square.
Fine – directly behind one of the wickets/the closet wicket
Wide – behind the wicket but out to the side. In-line (laterally) with fine
Backward – behind the active batter
Core / Orthodox Fielding Positions
There are certain core fielding positions that are used in almost every match. Refined over the years to maximise the chances of getting a batter out and prevent runs from being scored, these positions tend to be used across various formats by the majority of teams:
Wicket Keeper
Possibly the most iconic and easily recognised of all the fielding positions, the wicket keeper’s main role never changes and he/she is a necessary and ever present member of the fielding team.
Positioned behind the stumps, the wicket keeper will often stand closer when a spin bowler is delivering, and further back when a fast bowler is about to bowl.
• Main roles – catching deliveries/bowls, stumping batters out, preventing byes. A primary communicator with bowlers & other fielders.
• Key skills – exceptional hand-eye coordination, communication, fast reactions and good decision making skills.
Slips
Positioned to the side of the wicketkeeper, the slip’s main role is to catch ‘edges’ off fast bowlers. There are often multiple slips, usually arranged in a diagonal line next to the wicket keeper on the off side.
The Leg Slip is a rare position that is sometimes used only when a spin bowler is bowling.
• Main Role – catching edges off fast bowlers
• Key Skills – quick reactions, excellent catching ability
Gully
Standing close to the slips, the gully also catches and stops edges. Usually more active than the slips, the gully stands in a position that is laterally further away from the batter.
• Main Role – Stops and catches thick edges and mishits
• Key Skills – Diving ability, throwing ability, focus
Third Man
The third man prevents runs being scored with cut shots. A crucial position in one day/white ball cricket. The Third Man is usually positioned close to the boundary, at a 45 degree angle to the batter, behind the gully and slips and closer to the boundary.
A “short third man” stands closer to the batter, a “deep third man” is positioned by the boundary.
• Main role – Stop and catch late cuts and edged shots
• Key Skills – quick reactions, fast sprinter, accurate throwing
Fine Leg
Most often positioned at the edge of the inner ring/circle, behind the batter on the leg side, he/she stops and catches glancing shots on the leg side. A crucial position in short form cricket like T20 and One Day Internationals.
• Main Role – Intercepting balls deflected or glanced to the leg side
• Key Skills – Sprinting speed, accurate & strong thrower.
Point
Located inline (laterally) with the popping crease. Positioned within the inner circle, on the off side of the batter. Inline with the batter, they are typically 10 to 30 yards from the batter.
If the Point fielder is moved to a position that is behind the batter, he/she becomes the “Backward Point”. Conversely, a Forward Point stands further forward, in front of the batter.
• Main Role – key position for catching out batter, and helping to run him/her out
• Key Skills – Quick reactions, diving ability, accurate & fast thrower
Cover
Also standing on the offside of the field, the cover is positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the batter on the off side. Stops and attempts to catch powerful shots like the cover drive.
If the cover stands by the boundary, he or she becomes the “Deep Cover”, if he is closer to the batter, he/she can be called the “Short Cover”.
• Main Role – Stops drives and forces batters into risky singles
• Key Skills – Stamina, throwing ability, focus
Extra Cover
The Extra Cover stands on the opposite side of the Cover. He or she stops and catches shots that are stuck in a more forward direction. They are positioned just behind the bowling crease, inline with the umpire on the off side.
• Main Roles – Preventing runs and catching mistimed drives and deflections
• Key Skills – Quick reactions, good anticipation, catching ability
Mid Off & Mid On
The Mid Off stands to the off-side, just slightly wide of the bowler’s run up lane. The mid-on is a mirror-image of the Mid off position, standing slightly to the leg-side of the bowler’s run up.
The mid off and Mid On fielders catch and stop ‘straight drives’ and mishits, and prevent quick singles.
The “Silly Mid Off” stands even closer to the batter than a regular Mid Off.
• Main Role – Prevents straight drives from scoring singles
• Key Skills – Fast footwork, good catching ability and game awareness
Mid Wicket
Standing on the leg side of the batter, the Mid Wicket fielder is positioned opposite to the Cover. The Mid Wicket stands at approximately a 45 degree angle to the batter – halfway between each of the stumps.
The Mid Wicket intercepts shots that are played into the leg side, with run-prevention is the main aim. This position is very important for short-form cricket matches, when batters are more aggressive.
• Main Role – Stops powerful leg-side shots and catches mis-hits
• Key Skills – Anticipation of batters decisions and shot choice, excellent diving ability
Square Leg
Stands inline with the batter’s crease, to the legside. The square leg is often moved closer to the batter – in the Short Leg position, further away from the batter – Deep Square Leg.
• Main Role – prevents runs and stops shots played behind the batter on the leg side
• Key Skills – Quick reactions, lateral agility, strong throwing accuracy
Cricket Positions Arranged by Field Area
The table below lists all the cricket fielding positions that reside within the Close Infield, Inner Ring/Circle and the Outfield areas on the field.
Cricket Fielding Formations
The captain of the team may organise the fielders in different formations, according to the batter they are facing, the flow, and the trend of the match at hand.
Below are some examples of fielding formations that may be adopted for different reasons during a match.
Attacking:
If the fielding team are looking to attack aggressively and get the batter out, they may use three slips, and a gully and Short Leg in short positions to be able to catch the batter out following any mishits or weak shots.
Defensive:
A defensive formation might be used if the team is conceding too many runs. In this case, the captain may field players deeper and nearer to the boundary in key areas
Off-side:
If you have a bowler who can execute deliveries consistently to the tight-line and length, just outside of the stump, then a captain may decide to place more fielders in the off-side position; as it is much more likely the batter will hit the ball in this direction.
Leg-side:
Seen as a more defensive delivery, if the bowler indicates that, or instructed by the captain to bowl to the leg-side of the batter; then it is likely that the leg-side of the pitch will be populated with the majority of fielders.
Cricket Fielding Positions – FAQs
How many players are there in a cricket team?
A cricket team consists of 11 players. There are 11 players on the fielding team, allowed on the cricket field at any one time. They often also have substitutes who can replace injured players in specific situations – for example if a player has a concussion.
The batting team also consists of 11 players, with 2 batters on the field of play at one time. The remaining players on the team will wait in the dressing room or pavilion until it is their turn to bat. Players won’t always get a chance to bat however. If for example the innings is declared closed by the captain in a test match, there may be some remaining players in the ‘batting team’ who have not had an innings/haven’t batted.
What is a silly point in cricket?
The “silly point” is on the off-side (to the right handed batters’ right hand side), extremely close to the batter. Usually just 3 or 4 feet from the batter, the fielder at silly point wears protective gear. The silly point is normally used in test matches, when a spin bowler is delivering.
Why is the position called gully in cricket?
The gully fielder is believed to have been named after the word “gully” which means narrow passage. With the gully fielder located between the slips and the point fielder, the gully covers the gap in between them.
Why is there a fielding position call “point”?
The point fielding position is believed to have been named after the “point of the bat”. The point fielder historically stood a lot closer to the batter, and would attempt to catch him/her out when they played a shot off the point of the bat.
Can a wicket keeper bowl?
A wicket keeper can bowl during a match, but he/she must temporarily gave up their wicket keeping duties to a teammate.
The wicket keeper will also need to inform the umpire and change out of wicket keeping protective equipment. They are then allowed to return to the wicket keeping position when they have finished bowling.
Can a wicket keeper move during a delivery?
A wicket keeper must stay behind the wicket until the delivery by a bowler is complete. The laws do allow a wicket keeper a range of movements during delivery however. The MCC Rules state that:
“After the ball comes into play and before it reaches the striker, it is unfair if the wicket-keeper significantly alters his/her position in relation to the striker’s wicket, except for the following:
27.4.1.1 movement of a few paces forward for a slower delivery, unless in so doing it brings him/her within reach of the wicket.
27.4.1.2 lateral movement in response to the direction in which the ball has been delivered.
27.4.1.3 movement in response to the stroke that the striker is playing or that his/her actions suggest he/she intends to play. However the provisions of Law 27.3 shall apply.”
“Significant” movement before a delivery is complete is considered unfair. In such cases, either umpire may call and signal Dead ball.
How many slips in cricket?
The number of slips in cricket will depend on the captain’s strategy, and the bowler who is making the delivery. There is no limit but teams usually field between 1 and 4 slips at any one time.
1-Slip – Used in a defensive situation, and/or with spin bowlers
2-slips – Often used in short form and club cricket. Provides a balanced approach
3-slips – Used to increase the chance of catching an edge. Usually when a fast bowler is delivering
4-slips – An aggressive attacking setup, often used when a fast bowler is using a new ball that is likely to swing
What determines the initial fielding setup at the start of a cricket match?
The initial set up is often determined by the pitch conditions, the strengths and weaknesses of the first batter and the first bowler. Fielders in a test cricket match are also more likely to adopt a defensive formation, whilst a T20 or One Day International match may field a more aggressive formation, with the aim of taking wickets as soon as possible.
Conclusion – Understanding Fielding Positions
The captain’s strategy plays a crucial role in the fielding positions, and he/she will often dynamically adjust them based on the demands of the game and the batter’s style. The best captains need to be able to read the game and make tactical fielding adjustments accordingly.
Although the number of variations and options available for fielding positions can be overwhelming at first, once you understand the different areas of the cricket field and you get to grips with a few key elements of the jargon and language used to describe the relative positioning of fielders; it should become logical and within time, relatively easy to follow.
This in turn, should hopefully make watching cricket more immersive and enjoyable; as you’ll be able to understand what commentators are discussing and analysing, and you can gain an appreciation for tactical decisions made in relation to the positions of the fielders as they face different batters.
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By: Andrew Griffiths