Cricket Fielding Positions: The Complete Visual Guide
Learn every cricket fielding position by name — from slip to square leg, gully to fine leg — with descriptions of where they stand and why each position exists.
Cricket has more named fielding positions than any other major sport. From the aggressively close slip cordon to the distant boundary sweep at deep fine leg, each position has a specific strategic purpose. Understanding fielding positions is essential to reading any cricket match.
The Basic Framework: On and Off Side
All fielding positions are described relative to the batsman. The off side is the side the batsman faces — where they hold the bat face when in stance (to the right of a right-handed batsman). The leg side (or on side) is behind the batsman's legs. Most position names specify which side they are on.
Close-to-the-Wicket Positions (Off Side)
| Position | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| First Slip | Just outside off stump behind the batsman | Catch edges from pace bowlers |
| Second Slip | Wider than first slip, behind the batsman | Catch wide edges and slip catches |
| Third Slip | Wider still, further out | Extra edge-catcher in multi-slip attacks |
| Gully | Square of the wicket on the off side, close in | Catch late cuts and thick edges |
| Point | Square of wicket on off side, deeper than gully | Stop cut shots, run-outs |
| Silly Point | Very close on the off side near batsman's feet | Pressure position for spinners |
Close-to-the-Wicket Positions (Leg Side)
| Position | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Slip | Behind the batsman on the leg side, close in | Catch glances off the pad or leg edges |
| Silly Mid-On | Very close in front of batsman on leg side | Pressure position for spinners |
| Short Leg | Square leg side, very close to the batsman | Catch sweep shots and bat-pad catches for spinners |
| Square Leg Umpire | Not a fielder — this is where the square leg umpire stands |
Mid-Range Positions (Off Side)
| Position | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cover Point | Between point and mid-off, about 30 metres out | Stop drives and cuts, restrict scoring |
| Extra Cover | Between cover and mid-off, slightly deeper | Wider coverage of the off-side arc |
| Mid-Off | Approximately 45° off stump, about 30 metres | Stop straight drives, back up for run-outs |
| Short Third Man | Behind square on off side, halfway to boundary | Catch top edges, stop late cuts |
Mid-Range Positions (Leg Side)
| Position | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Square Leg | Square on the leg side, about 25–30 metres | Stop pull shots and sweeps |
| Mid-Wicket | Between square leg and mid-on, 30 metres | Stop flicks and whips to the leg side |
| Mid-On | Approximately 45° on the leg side, 30 metres | Stop on-drives and straight hits |
Boundary Positions
| Position | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Third Man | Behind the stumps on the off side, near boundary | Stop thick outside-edge boundaries |
| Fine Leg | Behind the stumps on the leg side, near boundary | Stop glances, leg byes, hook shots |
| Deep Square Leg | Square on leg side, at the boundary | Protect against the pull and sweep |
| Long Off | Straight boundary, 45° off side | Stop big straight hits and lofted drives |
| Long On | Straight boundary, 45° leg side | Stop big hits over mid-on |
| Deep Cover | Off-side boundary area | Protect against drives in front of square |
| Deep Midwicket | Leg-side boundary area | Protect against flicks and pulls |
The Slip Cordon: Cricket's Most Attacking Field
Setting three, four, or even five slips is a declaration of attacking intent from a captain. Typically used when a new batsman arrives, on a bowler-friendly pitch, or when reversing swing is available, the slip cordon creates a catching net behind the batsman on the off side. Elite captains know exactly when to commit to the cordon and when to protect the boundary.
Reading the Field: What Captain's Choices Tell You
- Multiple slips + gully = attacking, looking for caught-behind or slip catches, usually to pace
- Short leg + silly mid-on = spin attack, looking for bat-pad catches from the turning ball
- Five fielders on the leg side = bowler targeting leg stump or body, looking for mistimed pulls
- Sweeper cover + long off = protecting against big hitting, typically in death overs T20/ODI
- Deep point + deep square leg = protection against horizontal bat shots in T20 power-hitting phase
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between gully and point in cricket?
Point is square of the wicket on the off side at a mid-range distance (around 25–30 metres). Gully is behind square — closer in angle to the slip cordon — and is typically positioned for the late cut or thick edge. Gully is usually closer to the bat than point.
Why is a fielding position called 'silly' in cricket?
Positions with 'silly' in the name (silly point, silly mid-on, silly mid-off) are dangerously close to the batsman — within 5–8 metres of the bat. The 'silly' description historically referred to the perceived foolishness of standing so close to a hard ball hit at high speed.
How many fielders are allowed on the leg side in cricket?
A maximum of 5 fielders (excluding the wicketkeeper) are allowed on the leg side at any time. This law prevents captains from setting an entirely defensive leg-side trap. Breaching this law results in a no-ball.
What is a cow corner in cricket?
Cow corner is the informal name for the area between deep mid-wicket and long on — roughly the 45-degree angle behind the bowler on the leg side. It is the area targeted by big sixes from batsmen who swing the bat hard across the line. The name originates from village cricket where cows grazed beyond the boundary in that region.