Field Setting Strategy Explained: How Captains Place Their Fielders
How cricket captains set their fielding positions — the principles behind attacking fields (cordon catchers), defensive fields (boundary riders), and how field setting changes across overs, formats, and individual batter weaknesses.
Field setting is one of cricket captaincy's primary tactical tools — placing the nine available fielders (excluding wicketkeeper) in positions that maximise the probability of wickets while minimising boundary scoring. A cricket captain sets a new field for each batter who comes in and adjusts it throughout an innings based on: the ball's condition and age, the bowling type being used, the specific batter's known weaknesses, the match situation, and the format's fielding restrictions. Good field setting applies pressure without opening obvious gaps; poor field setting allows confident batters to score at will.
Attacking Fields
An attacking field concentrates fielders in catching positions close to the wicket — slips (first, second, third slip), gully, leg gully, and short leg. For a pace bowler bowling outswing with a new ball, a typical attacking field includes: wicketkeeper, first slip, second slip, third slip, gully, fine leg (for leg-side edges), mid-on, mid-off, cover, and square leg. This field gives the bowler seven catching positions while allowing only two boundary fielders — it maximises the chance of a caught dismissal but leaves significant boundary gaps. Attacking fields are used when conditions (new ball, seaming pitch) favour the bowler.
Defensive Fields
A defensive field positions most fielders near the boundary — 'protecting the boundary' — to prevent four-runs while conceding singles. Used when: (1) a batter is set and hitting freely; (2) at the death overs in T20/ODI when runs are being scored quickly; (3) when a captain is happy for the batting team to score singles rather than risk boundaries. Death bowling fields in T20 cricket typically have five or six boundary riders (the maximum allowed) at specific angles that cut off the most likely boundary directions for a specific batter's shot selection.
Left-Arm vs Right-Arm: Different Fields
Field settings differ significantly based on the bowler's angle of delivery. A right-arm over-the-wicket bowler angles the ball into a right-handed batter, so catching positions on the off side (slips, gully, cover) are primary. A left-arm over-the-wicket bowler angles away from a right-handed batter — catching positions shift to leg slip, leg gully, and the on side. Against left-handed batters, the angles reverse. Captains must adjust field settings when the batter changes (right-hand to left-hand partnership), when the bowler changes end (over to around the wicket), and when match conditions change (evening dew affecting delivery swing direction).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an attacking and defensive field in cricket?
Attacking field: fielders concentrated in catching positions close to the wicket (slips, gully, short leg) — maximising wicket probability but leaving boundary gaps. Defensive field: fielders spread near the boundary — preventing fours and sixes while conceding singles. The correct field depends on ball condition, batter's form, match situation, and bowler type.
How many fielders can a captain place at slip?
In Tests, up to four slip fielders are permitted (first, second, third, fourth slip) — all are legitimate catching positions. In ODIs and T20s, the fielding restrictions limit how many fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle, which constrains but does not prohibit slip fielders (who are inside the circle). The maximum slips used in modern international cricket is typically four for a new ball or exceptional pace bowling situation.
Can a captain change the field during an over?
Yes — the captain can adjust field positions between deliveries within an over. However, once the bowler has begun their run-up, no fielder can be repositioned until the delivery is complete. The no-ball field rule applies: when a no-ball is called, the field for the free hit delivery must replicate the field set for the no-ball delivery (fielding positions cannot be changed between the no-ball and the free hit).