Fielding Positions in Cricket: A Complete Guide to Every Position and Its Name

The field geometry foundation: all fielding positions are defined relative to the batsman at the crease. The primary axes: (1) On side vs off side: the on side is the leg side — the side the batsman's legs face (for a right-hander, this is the left side of the pitch when facing the bowler). The off side is the opposite — the right side of the pitch when a right-hander faces the bowler. The on/off distinction is THE most important distinction in cricket field setting. (2) In front of square vs behind square: 'square' is the line running perpendicular to the pitch through the batsman's position. A fielder who is closer to the bowler (further from the batsman's legs toward the pitch) is 'in front of square.' A fielder who is closer to the boundary behind the batsman's position is 'behind square.' (3) Distance from the batsman: 'short' = inside the 30-yard circle (close), 'deep' or 'long' = at or near the boundary. 'Silly' is an extreme close position (2-3 metres from the bat — only possible for spin bowling where the ball arrives slowly). The standard circuit: close infield positions are named after their relative compass direction from the batsman (mid-on, mid-off, cover, gully, slip). Boundary positions add 'deep' (deep mid-on, deep cover) or 'long' (long-on, long-off). Behind-square positions use 'square leg,' 'fine leg,' 'third man.'

The Named Positions — Off Side and On Side'

Off side positions (from fine-leg equivalent to slip): (1) Third Man: the position behind the wicketkeeper on the off side. A ball that edges finely from the bat and passes the keeper on the off side goes to third man. 'Deep third man' is at the boundary. (2) Point: square on the off side, at a medium depth (not at the boundary, not very close). Used to cut off square cuts. (3) Cover Point: slightly in front of square on the off side. A standard fielding position for most bowling types — catching hard drives through cover. 'Extra Cover' is slightly wider and further forward than cover point. (4) Mid-Off: directly in front of the bowler's right (for a right-arm bowler) — positioned to cut off straight drives through the off side. A key infield position. (5) Long-Off: the boundary position straight down the ground on the off side — cutting off the lofted drive. (6) Slip (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th slip): behind the batsman on the off side, in a line. The slips catch edges off the bat. 1st slip is closest to the keeper; 4th slip is widest. (7) Gully: between point and the slip cordon — wider than point, inside the cordon. Catches the thicker edge that flies into the gully area. On side positions: (1) Fine Leg: the position behind the batsman on the leg side (mirror of third man). Deep fine leg and fine leg are both used — one at the boundary, one at medium depth. (2) Square Leg: directly square on the leg side — mirror of point. Used to catch the hook shot or the ball hit square on the leg side. (3) Mid-Wicket: between square leg and mid-on — on the leg side but more forward. Cuts off the on-drive and mid-wicket flick. (4) Mid-On: directly in front of the bowler's left — mirror of mid-off. Used to cut off the on-drive. (5) Long-On: the boundary position on the leg side, directly down the ground — mirror of long-off. (6) Leg Slip: a single slip position on the leg side — used for leg-before-wicket or leg-side edge catches. Rarer than off-side slips.

Captains' Field Placement Principles'

How captains set the field: field placement is a direct function of the bowling plan. The captain thinks: 'What is the bowler trying to do? Where will a mis-hit, a good defensive shot, or an edge go if the plan works?' Examples: (1) If the fast bowler is trying to get a right-handed batsman to nick an outswinger to the off side: place fielders in the slip cordon (1st and 2nd slip) and perhaps gully. The outswinger's mis-hit typically goes: edge to slip (if the batsman is playing forward) or edge to gully (if the batsman is playing backward). (2) If the spinner is trying to get the batsman to edge to the leg side (as Ashwin does with his carrom ball to Warner): place a leg slip, a short fine leg, and a square leg. (3) T20 death overs field: the captain wants to prevent boundaries. They position: deep fine leg, deep square leg, deep mid-wicket, long-on, long-off, deep cover — 5-6 fielders on the boundary. The few infield fielders are positioned to stop singles rather than to take catches. The attacking field vs defensive field: an attacking field has close catchers (slips, gully, silly positions) and fewer boundary riders — it invites boundaries but creates wicket opportunities. A defensive field has boundary riders and fewer close catchers — it prevents boundaries but creates fewer wickets. The choice between them is the primary tactical tension in field setting, especially in T20.