Cricket Fielding Positions — Complete Guide with Names and Roles
A complete guide to all cricket fielding positions, from slip and gully to fine leg and mid-on. Learn where each fielder stands, why, and how captains set fields for different bowlers.
Cricket has more named fielding positions than any other sport — over 30 named positions that a captain can deploy. Understanding fielding positions helps you read a captain's tactical intent: each position is chosen to stop particular shots, create catching opportunities, or dry up specific scoring areas.
- Slip: Behind and to the off side, catching edges off pace bowling. First slip is closest to the keeper; teams can set up to five slips.
- Gully: To the off side, squarer than the slips. Catches edges too square for slip.
- Point: Square of the wicket on the off side, stopping cut shots.
- Cover: Between point and mid-off, covering drives and cuts through the off side.
- Mid-off: Straight on the off side, saving singles and patrolling drives.
- Fine leg: Behind the batter on the leg side, saving boundaries from glances and edges.
- Square leg: Square of the wicket on the leg side, stopping pulls and flicks.
- Mid-on: Straight on the leg side, the mirror of mid-off.
- Mid-wicket: Between square leg and mid-on, stopping mid-wicket drives.
- Long leg: Deep behind the batter on the leg side, protecting against pulled shots.
How Captains Set Fields
For pace bowling with a new ball, captains typically set attacking fields: 2–3 slips, a gully, and a mid-on. As the ball gets older, attacking fields give way to more defensive positioning. Against spin, short leg and silly mid-on become common — fielders close in to catch bat-pad chances. Death-over T20 fields spread to the boundary, with only 2 fielders inside the 30-yard circle after the powerplay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the slip cordon in cricket?
The slip cordon is the line of fielders positioned behind and to the off side of the batter to catch edges off pace bowling. Teams can set first, second, third, and even fourth or fifth slip.
Where does a mid-on field?
Mid-on stands on the leg side of the pitch, approximately level with the bowler's follow-through position, protecting straight drives on the leg side.
Can a captain place fielders anywhere?
Within the Laws, yes — except there must be a minimum number of fielders inside the circle during the powerplay (6 inside), and a maximum of 5 on the leg side at any time.