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Cricket Fielding Positions Explained For Beginners

Fielding positions in cricket are strategically placed areas on the field where players are stationed to prevent runs, take catches, or create run-out opportunities. These positions vary based on the bowler’s type, the batsman’s strengths, the match format, and the game situation. There is an absolute plethora of positions for the bowler and captain to choose from, with the exact number being 34 different fielding positions apart from the bowler. Good fielding positions can drastically change the game’s momentum, and it is really important to get them right. This article talks about and briefly explains all these fielding positions.

Fielding Positions Explained

Credit: BBC

Wicketkeeper

The wicketkeeper stands directly behind the stumps at the striker’s end. Equipped with gloves and pads, their role is crucial: they catch edges, get stumpings, and stop byes.

Bowler

The bowler delivers the ball to the batsman, aiming to take wickets or restrict runs.

Deep B/w Fine Leg

Positioned near the boundary behind the square on the leg side, deep backwards, fine leg handles miscued hooks or glances.

Fine Leg

Fine leg stands on the leg side, close to the boundary but not too square. This position handles deflections off pads or poorly timed glances.

Long Leg

Similar to fine leg but further out near the boundary, long leg is vital in containing aggressive leg-side shots, especially from bouncers or sweep attempts.

Square Leg

Located square to the batsman on the leg side, this position is used for catching flicks or stopping quick singles.

Deep Square Leg

Placed on the boundary square on the leg side, this fielder prevents big shots like pulls and sweeps from going for six or four.

Mid-Wicket

Mid-wicket stands between square leg and mid-on, typically inside the 30-yard circle. This position is key for intercepting flicks, on-drives, and sharp singles.

Deep Mid-Wicket

Positioned on the boundary between square leg and long-on, deep mid-wicket covers big on-side shots, especially during slog overs.

Short Leg

Short leg stands dangerously close to the batsman on the leg side, often wearing protective gear. They are ideal for catching balls that pop off the pad or bat against spinners.

Forward Short Leg

Very similar to the short leg but slightly more in front of the batsman, this position picks up bat-pad catches and is quite dangerous.

Silly Mid-On

Located just a few feet in front of the batsman on the leg side, silly mid-on is used to pressure the batter and grab sharp chances.

Wide Mid-On

This fielder is set slightly wider than traditional mid-on, covering gaps created by on-drives or mistimed shots. It’s a flexible position used to adjust to batsmen who favour leg-side play.

Mid-On

Mid-on stands straight on the leg side, close to the bowler. A key position for stopping straight or on-drives, this fielder must be sharp and quick with dives.

Long-On

Situated on the boundary straight down the ground on the leg side, long-on fields big lofted shots like straight drives and slog sweeps and is a go-to position in death overs.

Straight Hit

This position is dead straight behind the bowler near the boundary. Often occupied in limited-overs cricket, it guards against clean straight hits and strong drives.

Long-Off

On the offside boundary straight down the ground, long-off is essential for catching big hits and stopping straight drives. It is a fielding position that is commonly seen in white-ball cricket.

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Mid-Off

Mid-off is placed just outside the pitch on the offside, near the bowler. This position intercepts off-drives and supports catching and run-out chances.

Wide Mid-Off

Wider than traditional mid-off, this fielder covers the gap between cover and mid-off. It’s useful against batsmen who favour offside drives.

First Slip

First slip stands directly next to the wicketkeeper on the offside, ready to catch edges off the bat. It is a crucial position in pace bowling setups, especially with a new ball.

Second Slip

Positioned next to the first slip, the second slip backs up for thicker edges or balls that do not carry to the first. Used in attacking fields, the second slip must have great anticipation and coordination with other players.

Third Slip

The third slip stands further away, near the cordon’s edge. This position is often used when the ball swings or seams more, offering extra catching support.

Leg Slip

The leg slip mirrors the first slip but is on the leg side, behind the batsman. It’s used to catch fine glances or edges off pads, often in Test matches or when targeting leg-side weaknesses.

Gully

Gully is between the point and slips, behind square on the offside. It’s ideal for catching thick edges off rising deliveries. It is a reflex-driven position, and the gully fielder must stay crouched.

Third Man

Located on the boundary behind the wicket on the offside, the third man stops edges or intentional glides past the slips. It is a very key position, especially during pace bowling.

Silly Point

Silly point is extremely close on the offside, under the batsman’s nose. Common against spinners, it’s a pressure position meant to provoke mistakes.

Backward Point

Positioned behind the square on the offside, the backwards point intercepts late cuts and back-foot punches. Fielders here need great agility, reflexes, and diving skills.

Point

The point is square on the offside and intercepts powerful cuts and punches. It is one of the busiest fielding spots, especially in fast bowling, and the point fielder must have excellent reflexes.

Cover Point

The cover point lies between the point and extra cover; handling drives and square strokes. It’s used to cut off runs and force errors from batsmen trying to find gaps.

Sweeper

Sweeper usually refers to a deep cover or deep mid-wicket position, placed on the boundary to stop lofted drives. The role is crucial in one-day and T20 formats.

Silly Mid-Off

Very close to the batsman on the offside, silly mid-off is a short catching position used mainly against spinners. Like silly mid-on, it tests the fielder’s bravery and reflexes.

Cover

The cover stands on the offside between point and mid-off. It’s a prime position for intercepting classic drives. Fielders here need sharp reflexes, safe hands, and quick movement.

Extra Cover

Between cover and mid-off, extra cover handles wider drives and lofted strokes. It is a strong position in both defensive and attacking fields, and it is often occupied by agile fielders.

Deep Cover

Deep cover is on the boundary in the cover region. It’s vital for stopping powerful cover drives and preventing boundaries, and is often tested in limited-overs formats.

Deep Extra Cover

Deeper and wider than deep cover, this boundary position handles aerial shots in the extra cover region. Fielders must have excellent judgment, mobility, and field awareness to do well in this position.

For more news articles and informative updates on various cricket fielding positions as well as other football and cricket updates, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com.

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