Cricket Fielding Positions Explained: A Simple Guide

Fielding positions are an essential part of any cricket match and, if the captain places his or her players in the correct areas, it can be key to the final outcome. Cricket is a sport with unique terminology and many of the fielding positions come with their own idiosyncratic language.

In this guide we will explain all the possible positions and their value to the fielding team.

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Complete List of Cricket Fielding Positions

Here is a comprehensive list of fielding positions in common use in the modern game of cricket:

  • Bowler
  • Wicket Keeper
  • Slip
  • Fly Slip
  • Gully
  • Third Man
  • Point
  • Sweeper
  • Long Stop
  • Cow Corner
  • Cover
  • Cover Point
  • Extra Cover
  • Mid Off
  • Mid On
  • Mid Wicket
  • Square Leg
  • Backward Square
  • Leg Gully
  • Leg Slip
  • Fine Leg
  • Long Leg
  • Long Off
  • Long On
  • Short Leg

Many of those positions can be prefixed with the terms, silly, short, mid, deep and long. For example, fielders may be placed at silly point, point or deep point. The positioning in terms of the angle to the wicket is the same but the distance will be adjusted in each case.

The Set Up

The cricket field is generally oval in shape and can be divided into two halves – the off side and the leg side. At any point in the game, 11 fielders are in position, together with two batsmen and two umpires.

The basic set up on the cricket field
The basic set up includes the four fixed player positions and the two on-field umpires. The nine other fielders are positioned by the team captain depending on the match situation. The leg and off side change to the other sides of the wicket if a left handed batter is on strike.

Only two members of the fielding side are in set positions at any specific point in the match. The bowler delivers the ball from one end of the pitch while the wicket keeper stands behind the stumps at the opposite end. The keeper can stand close to or away from the stumps, depending on the speed of the bowler.

The two batsmen are at opposite ends of the wicket. The striking batsman takes guard in order to receive the ball while his or her partner waits at the other side to complete runs and assume that strike when necessary. The two umpires stand at the bowler’s end and at square leg respectively.

The ultimate responsibility for setting the field lies with the captain. The skipper will consult with the bowler and other members of the team, but it’s down to the man or woman in charge to set those positions. The captain can stand wherever they like on the field but, because of the need for consultation, they will usually be as close to the bowler as possible.

Mitchell Starc was caught by Joe Root, the third of six slips in the Fourth Ashes Test Match of 2015.
Mitchell Starc was caught by Joe Root, the third of six slips in the Fourth Ashes Test Match of 2015. Photo © John Sutton (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Off Side and Leg Side

The two hemispheres of a cricket field are referred to as the leg side (sometimes called the on side) and the off side. Each fielding position can be named according to their place in either section and examples include leg gully and mid off.

The captain is largely free to place fielders wherever they like, subject to one strict law. No more than two fielders can be placed behind the wicket on the leg side. If there are three or more fielders when the ball leaves the bowler’s hand, a no ball shall be called.

Basic Terms on the Cricket Field

Each fielding position can also be named according to its distance from the batsmen. The five most common phrases in this respect are silly, short, mid, deep and long. Those terms are listed in order so, for example, silly point will be as close to the batsman as the laws, and the bravery of the fielder, will allow.

From the closest point, fielders will then be placed in short, mid, deep and long positions. At the furthest end of the field, those in ‘long’ positions such as long off and long leg are likely to be situated near the boundary edge.

Understanding Cricket Fielding Positions
In relation to fielder positions, the cricket field can be divided into slices and zones. The slices are defined according to the angles from a right handed batsman, while the zones are defined according to the fielder’s distance from the batsman. Simply switch these positions around if a left handed batsman is on strike.

Basic Field Setting

The majority of fielders will tend to be placed on the off side, simply because a batsman is more likely to hit the ball in this region. TV viewers may hear commentators refer to a 6-3 field or a 7-2 field and this relates to the split between off side and leg side fielders. So, in that first example, there will be six fielders on the off side and three on the leg side.

An attacking field is usually in place at the start of a game and, in test cricket, there may be a number of slips. In order, based on their proximity to the wicket keeper, there may be a first slip, second slip, third slip and so on. Along with the ‘silly’ and ‘short’ fielders, any spot close to the wicket such as these are known as ‘catching positions’.

As the game progresses, that field may start to move out if the batting side are on top. The deep and long fielders may now move from catching positions into run saving positions.

Away from test cricket, one day games and T20 matches have specified fielding restrictions, also known as powerplay. Captains can still choose where to place their men but there will be limits on the number of fielders who are allowed outside of a marked 30 yard fielding circle. Fielding restrictions can also be imposed as a punishment. Under new laws, if the bowling team hasn’t completed their overs in an allotted time, another fielder will be called into the circle for the final over.

Cricket-Fielding-Positions-Explained

All the Fielding Positions Explained

The bowler and wicket keeper positions have already been explained but what about the others? Here is a brief description of each of the positions listed above:

  • Slip: Slips stand next to the wicket keeper on the off side and are generally placed in an arc.
  • Fly Slip: A fly slip is a slip who is further away from the wicket in a ‘mid’ position.
  • Gully: A gully is close to the slips but is located just behind the line of the wicket on the off side.
  • Third Man: A third man will either be deep or short. They are located behind the wicket on the off side. In modern cricketing terms, this is more frequently referred to as “third.”
  • Point: A point fielder is square to the wicket on the off side
  • Sweeper: This is a modern position and typically refers to a point fielder near the boundary. They are sweeping and saving four runs.
  • Long Stop: Long stop is an outdated position, located directly behind the wicket keeper on the boundary. This position was common in the early days of cricket when the wicket keepers weren’t as skilled as they are today.
  • Deep Mid Wicket: Also known as Cow Corner. Located on the boundary on the leg side
  • Cover: On the off side between point and mid off
  • Cover Point: At a specific position between point and cover
  • Extra Cover: On the off side between Cover and mid off
  • Mid Off: A relatively straight position, close to the bowler on the off side
  • Mid On: Straight and close to the bowler on the leg side
  • Mid Wicket: At a halfway point between bowler and wicket keeper on the leg side
  • Square Leg: At a position square to the wicket on the leg side
  • Backward Square: Just behind the square position on the leg side
  • Leg Gully: A catching position on the leg side, opposite to a traditional gully
  • Leg Slip: Closer to the wicket keeper on the leg side, – the opposite to a traditional slip
  • Fine Leg: At a 45 degree angle between square leg position and the wicket keeper on the leg side
  • Long Leg: Similar to fine leg, long leg will be placed on the boundary.
  • Long Off: As per Mid Off but on the boundary
  • Long On: As per Mid On but on the boundary
  • Short Leg: A close catching position, just in front of square on the leg side

All fielding positions on the cricket field

Importance of Fielding Positions

As a bowler or a captain, understanding fielding positions is an essential part of your game. Having an effective field in place requires the ability to read the batters, and to understand where they are hitting the ball.

At a professional level, much of the work will be done before the game starts. The bowling side will be aware of certain batters favourite strokes. For example, if you are aware that a batsman likes to play the cover drive, you should look to have a cover fielder, an extra cover and a mid off. A square cover may also be a good option.

Amateur players won’t have access to the same kind of data as the professionals, but you will learn to understand certain batters over time. Another tip is to watch them warming up in the nets to see what types of shot they are playing. Make some judgements and set your fields accordingly.

In Summary

There’s a lot to digest with regards to fielding positions and this is a comprehensive list. A captain will initially set a field and then adjust the placings according to each batsman and as a reaction to the state of the game.

Finally, as a fielder you should be able to understand your task on the field according to your position. How you catch the cricket ball as a fielder, or whether you shine one side of the ball can ultimately impact the overall match result.