The Point Fielder: Off-Side Alert, Cut Shot Guardian
The point fielding position — stationed to the side of the batsman at roughly 90 degrees from the wickets on the off side. Why point is one of cricket's highest-responsibility infield positions, the catching and stopping duties specific to the cut shot, how point adjusts between 'saving one' (close in) and 'saving four' (wider) based on the match phase, when captains replace conventional point with a 'square cover' variation, and why left-handed batsmen change the point fielder's optimal location.
Where Point Is and What It Covers
Point stands approximately perpendicular to the batting crease on the off side — at 90 degrees from the line of the wickets — at varying depths based on the fielding captain's instruction. A 'saving-one' point stands 15-20 metres from the bat, close enough to cut off pushed singles to the off side. A 'saving-four' point stands at the boundary, specifically positioned to stop cut shots and square drives that would otherwise reach the rope. A 'cover-point' variant sits at 45 degrees between point (90°) and cover (45°), covering the zone between them. The specific angle is calibrated to the batsman — a batsman who cuts aggressively needs a deeper, squarer point; one who pushes singles to the off side needs point closer in and at cover-point depth.
The Cut Shot and Point's Primary Challenge
The cut shot — played to short-pitched deliveries outside the off stump, directing the ball square or backward of square on the off side — sends the ball directly at or past point. The catching opportunity from a cut shot is one of cricket's most common close-in catching dismissals: a short-pitched ball that takes the top edge of the cut, producing a catch to point. The catch arrives quickly (the ball is already moving fast when it reaches point) and at varying heights — some cut shot edges go very high, requiring the fielder to judge whether to jump, and some stay low, requiring quick footwork. Point is therefore a position where good catching technique (particularly for the sharp, quick arrival) is essential.
Match Phase Adaptation
Point's depth changes across a match's phases. During the powerplay (limited-overs cricket), point cannot be placed at the boundary — field restrictions mean only two fielders outside the ring, so point is typically in the ring saving singles. During middle overs, point may go deeper to save fours from the cut. During death overs in T20, point may be replaced by two or more different fielders on the off-side boundary (deep point, deep cover) to protect against maximum-hitting shots. In Test cricket, point stays in the inner ring when the batting team is defending but moves out when batsmen begin attacking. The position's versatility — close in or deep, depending on the phase — makes point one of the most tactically fluid positions.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a difference between 'point' and 'backward point'?
Yes — backward point is positioned behind the perpendicular line (behind square) on the off side, slightly toward the fine-leg direction but still on the off side. This is roughly at 100-110 degrees from the line of the wickets rather than point's 90 degrees. Backward point is used specifically when the batsman plays the cut shot late (contacting the ball when it has already passed the body and is going slightly backward of square) — which some batsmen do consistently. A 'standard' point covers 75-90 degrees; backward point covers 90-110 degrees. In limited-overs cricket, both positions can be occupied simultaneously if the captain places fielders at both depths — one saving singles at point and one stopping fours at backward point.
Can point take a catch off a delivery that bounces twice?
No — a valid catch requires the ball to be taken before it touches the ground after the ball was hit. Once the ball has bounced off the ground (either once off the bat or twice from any surface), it cannot produce a catch dismissal. Point fielders who stop a ball rolling along the ground and throw it in are not catching — they are fielding a ground ball. A ball that deflects off the bat, hits the wicket-keeper's gloves without being held, and then bounces to point — point cannot complete a catch dismissal at that stage (the ball has not been 'caught'). The definition is strictly about the ball being in the fielder's control before touching the ground after the initial bat contact.
Why do some captains remove point altogether in T20 cricket?
In T20 cricket, particularly in non-powerplay overs, captains sometimes remove point from the inner ring entirely and distribute the two available boundary fielders differently — placing both on the off-side boundary (deep point and deep cover) rather than one infield and one on the boundary. This acknowledges that at T20 batting intent levels, a cut shot will almost always go to the boundary even with a standard point present — the infield point merely provides a single-saving presence that doesn't prevent boundaries. Two boundary fielders on the off side save more runs than one boundary fielder plus one infield point in aggressive T20 phases. The captain is effectively conceding the option of saving singles to prevent fours.