Cricket Fielding Positions Explained
Cricket has 35+ named fielding positions, each with a specific tactical purpose. This guide walks through every position, where the fielder stands relative to the batter, and why captains use them.
How Field Positions Are Named
Cricket field positions are described relative to the right-handed batter's stance. The field is split into two halves: the off side (in front of the batter's legs) and the leg side (behind the batter's legs).
Three modifiers further narrow the location: fine means closer to the batter's line, square means perpendicular to the pitch, and deep means near the boundary. So "deep square leg" means a fielder near the boundary, perpendicular to the pitch, on the leg side.
Close Catching Positions
Close catchers stand within a few metres of the batter, ready to take edges and miscued shots. These positions are most common in Test cricket and during the new-ball overs of any format.
- Wicket-keeper: directly behind the stumps. The most specialised position in cricket.
- 1st / 2nd / 3rd Slip: arc of fielders behind the wicket-keeper on the off side. Catch edges that fly off the bat.
- Gully: wider than slip, squarer to the batter. Catches square edges.
- Leg Slip: mirror of slip but on the leg side — used against batters who glance the ball.
- Short Leg / Forward Short Leg: very close on the leg side, in front of the batter. Catches mishits to short pulls.
- Silly Point / Silly Mid-Off: extremely close on the off side, in front of the batter. Catches bat-pad deflections.
Inner Ring (Inside the 30-Yard Circle)
Inner-ring positions sit roughly 15-25 metres from the batter. They prevent singles, take catches off lofted shots, and create pressure. In limited-overs cricket the powerplay restricts the number of fielders allowed outside this circle.
- Mid-Off / Mid-On: straight down the ground, off and leg side respectively. Stop drives.
- Cover / Extra Cover: off side, in front of square. Stop classic cover drives.
- Point: off side, square to the batter. Catches cuts and stops square drives.
- Square Leg: leg side, square to the batter. Catches pulls and sweeps.
- Mid-Wicket: leg side, between mid-on and square leg. Stops flicks and on-drives.
Boundary (Outfield) Positions
Outfield positions sit on or near the boundary rope. They cut off boundaries and force the batter to settle for singles or twos. In T20 cricket, captains often use 5 boundary riders late in the innings.
- Long-Off / Long-On: straight boundary, mirror of mid-off and mid-on.
- Deep Cover / Deep Extra Cover: boundary versions of the inner-ring cover positions.
- Deep Point / Deep Backward Point: off-side boundary, square or behind square.
- Third Man: behind the wicket-keeper on the off side, near the boundary. Stops late cuts and edges that beat the slips.
- Fine Leg / Deep Fine Leg: behind the wicket-keeper on the leg side. Stops glances.
- Deep Square Leg / Deep Mid-Wicket: leg-side boundary, used against pull-shot specialists.
Tactical Field Settings
A field setting is the captain's arrangement of all 9 fielders (the wicket-keeper plus the bowler are fixed). Settings change based on the bowler, the batter, the match situation, and the format.
Attacking Field
An attacking field has multiple close catchers (slips, gully, short leg) and few boundary riders. Used early in Tests, when chasing wickets, or when bowling to a new batter. The trade-off: easier to score boundaries.
Defensive Field
A defensive field has 5+ fielders on the boundary, no slips, and inner-ring fielders blocking singles. Used in death overs of T20s, when defending small totals, or against set batters. The trade-off: less likely to take wickets.
Spread Field
A spread field places fielders evenly around the ground to limit run-scoring. Common during the middle overs of an ODI when neither attack nor defence is the priority.
Powerplay Restrictions
In limited-overs cricket, fielding restrictions apply during designated powerplay overs:
- T20 powerplay (overs 1-6): only 2 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
- ODI powerplay 1 (overs 1-10): only 2 fielders allowed outside the circle.
- ODI powerplay 2 (overs 11-40): 4 fielders allowed outside the circle.
- ODI powerplay 3 (overs 41-50): 5 fielders allowed outside the circle.
For Left-Handed Batters
When a left-handed batter is facing, the entire field is mirrored — what was the off side for a right-hander becomes the leg side. Fielders physically swap sides between deliveries during a partnership of right-hander and left-hander, leading to delays unless the captain pre-positions for both.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many fielding positions are there in cricket?
- There are over 35 named fielding positions in cricket, but only 9 fielders (plus the wicket-keeper and bowler) can be on the field at any time. The captain chooses which positions to fill based on the bowler, batter, and match situation.
- What is the difference between mid-off and long-off?
- Mid-off is an inner-ring position (15-25 metres from the batter) on the off side, straight down the ground. Long-off is the same line but on the boundary, around 60-70 metres away.
- Why is it called silly mid-off?
- The "silly" prefix denotes positions that are dangerously close to the batter — close enough that the fielder is at real risk of being hit by a powerful shot. Silly mid-off and silly point are essentially fielders standing just metres from the batter.
- What is third man in cricket?
- Third man is a fielder positioned behind the wicket-keeper on the off side, usually near the boundary. The position catches edges that beat the slip cordon and deflects off late cuts.
- Can fielders move during a delivery?
- Fielders must remain stationary from the moment the bowler begins their run-up until the ball is delivered. Moving before the ball is bowled results in a "no ball" being called.
- Which fielding position takes the most catches?
- Statistically, the wicket-keeper takes the most catches in any team — around 25-30% of all dismissals are caught behind. The slip cordon is the next most prolific, particularly first slip.