Every Cricket Fielding Position Named and Explained
A complete reference guide to cricket fielding positions — all the standard positions from slip to long on, the geography system (off side/leg side, infield/outfield, square/fine/extra cover), the 'silly' positions close to the bat, and the difference between 'deep' and 'short' positions — with which positions are used for which bowling types.
Understanding the Geography
Cricket fielding positions use a geographic system based on the batsman's position: 'off side' is the side of the field in front of the batsman (for a right-handed batsman, this is to the batsman's left as they face the bowler); 'leg side' (also called 'on side') is behind the batsman (to the batsman's right). 'Square' means at a 90-degree angle from the pitch (directly to the side of the batsman). 'Fine' means angled behind the wicket (more behind the batsman's position). 'Extra' cover means further from the batsman than cover. 'Deep' means close to the boundary (far from the batsman); 'short' means close to the batsman.
The most common fielding positions, from slip to long on: Slip positions (1st slip, 2nd slip, 3rd slip, 4th slip) — directly behind the wicket-keeper on the off side, at increasing distances; Gully — on the off side, wider than 3rd slip; Point — square on the off side; Cover — between point and mid-off; Mid-off — close to the bowler on the off side; Mid-on — close to the bowler on the leg side; Square leg — square on the leg side; Fine leg — behind the batsman on the leg side; Mid-wicket — between square leg and mid-on; Long on — on the leg side, near the boundary at mid-on depth; Long off — on the off side, near the boundary at mid-off depth.
Close-in and 'Silly' Positions
'Silly' positions are catching positions placed very close to the batsman — so close that the fielder faces genuine physical risk from the batsman hitting the ball directly at them. The primary silly positions: silly mid-on (directly in front of the batsman on the leg side, approximately 2-3 metres away); silly mid-off (same, on the off side); silly point (on the off side, much closer than regular point); and leg slip (directly behind the batsman on the leg side, close to the body). These positions are used specifically to pressure a batsman defending against spin bowling — a ball that the batsman nudges forward from a defensive shot into silly mid-on carries to the fielder for a caught dismissal.
Short leg is distinct from silly mid-on: short leg is placed on the leg side somewhat further from the batsman (3-5 metres rather than 1-2 metres of silly mid-on), typically used to catch deflections from the pad or body. Short leg and leg slip together form the classic leg-side close-catching arc used against spin bowling on turning pitches — where the ball might deflect from the pad or bat-pad and carry to one of these two fielders.
Position Names for Specific Bowling Types
Different bowling types require different fielding configurations. For new-ball seam bowling: slip cordon (3-4 slips plus gully), mid-off and mid-on slightly pushed back, leg slip optional. For off-spin on a turning pitch: backward point or short extra cover for the edge off an attempted drive, short leg and leg slip for pad-deflections, forward short leg for the batsman playing defensively. For leg-spin: often a more spread field (off-side boundary protection for the drive, mid-wicket for the slog), with a slip or two for the edge. For T20 death bowling: deep fine leg, deep square leg, long off, long on — the typical boundary-protection arc for 4-5 fielders on the boundary.
Frequently asked questions
How many fielding positions are there in cricket?
Cricket has no fixed number of fielding positions — positions exist on a continuum across the field, with specific named positions marking commonly used spots. The standard named positions number approximately 30-40 (including variations like 'deep point,' 'short extra cover,' 'wide mid-on' etc.), but fielders can be placed anywhere in the field within the Laws' restrictions (the fielding restriction zone, leg-side fielding limits). In practice, captains use approximately 15-20 named positions routinely, with fielders adjusted within these zones to target specific batsmen's shot tendencies.
What is the maximum number of fielders allowed on the leg side?
Under ICC Playing Conditions (which apply the fielding restriction on the leg side), a maximum of 5 fielders (excluding the wicket-keeper) may be placed on the leg side at any one time. If a 6th fielder is on the leg side, the delivery is a no-ball. This restriction prevents the fielding side from 'packing the leg side' to restrict leg-side scoring — a tactic that would be very effective but is considered unfair (it's difficult for batsmen to score on the off side when a bowler is bowling at their body). The leg-side fielder restriction applies in all formats.
Is there an equivalent 'off-side packing' restriction?
No — there is no ICC Playing Condition restricting the number of fielders on the off side. A fielding captain can place all 10 fielders on the off side if they choose (excluding the wicket-keeper). This asymmetry reflects the historical balance of the game: off-side boundary scoring is sufficiently rewarded for accurate shot-making, and having 10 fielders on the off side would leave the entire leg side open for scoring. In practice, no fielding captain would pack the off side because leaving the leg side unprotected against a batsman capable of hitting there would be exploited immediately.