Attacking Field Placements in Cricket: The Catching Positions
A detailed guide to cricket's attacking fielding positions and how each one creates wicket-taking opportunities.
Attacking fielding positions are those designed primarily to catch batsmen out rather than prevent boundaries, placed close to the bat where edges and mis-hits will carry. Understanding these positions and when they are deployed is essential for both reading cricket and understanding tactical captaincy.
The Slip Cordon
The slips, typically positioned just behind square on the off side, are the quintessential catching positions for edge deliveries from fast bowlers and swing bowlers. First slip is positioned closest to the wicketkeeper, with second and third slips spread progressively wider to cover both the thin inside edge and the thick outside edge.
Gully and Point Positions
Gully stands square on the off side, positioned to catch thick edges from cut shots and defensive pushes off the back foot. When a batsman is tentative against short-pitched bowling or has a weak cut shot, a gully fielder can be placed precisely to capitalise on the expected top edge or thick outside edge.
Short Leg and Silly Mid-On
Short leg and silly mid-on are aggressive close-catching positions on the leg side, used specifically against spinners who are targeting the bat-pad. These fielders must wear helmets and full protective equipment as they stand dangerously close to the batsman, ready to catch deflections off the pad or inside edge.
The Leg Slip and Leg Gully
Leg slip and leg gully are specialised positions behind and square of the wicket on the leg side, deployed when a bowler is expected to pitch on the leg stump and create glancing edges. These positions are particularly effective against batsmen who struggle with deliveries angled into their body or those who consistently flick at leg-side deliveries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between slip and gully?
Slip is positioned behind the batting crease on the off side, aligned with the wicketkeeper to catch thin and thick edges from deliveries that move away from the bat. Gully is positioned squarer, roughly at right angles to the pitch, to catch thicker edges from cut shots and back-foot defensive prods.
Why do fielders in the slips stand in a line?
Slip fielders stand in a line to cover the full range of edge trajectories from thin to thick edges, with first slip covering thin edges near the keeper and third slip covering thicker edges flying wider. The line formation ensures that edges going at different angles are all covered by someone in the cordon.