Fielding Positions Explained: Every Name from Slip to Fine Leg
Cricket has approximately 30 named fielding positions covering the 360 degrees around the batsman. The positions are defined by proximity to the batsman, angle from the wicket, and side of the pitch (on side/off side). Understanding each position's name and location is essential for following cricket commentary and understanding tactical field placement.
Cricket's fielding positions are organized by two axes: distance from the batsman (close, inner ring, outfield) and angle from the wicket (square, cover, mid-on, mid-off, fine, etc.). The off side: positions on the side away from the batsman's body (the right side of a right-handed batsman). The on side (leg side): positions on the side toward the batsman's body. Broadly, off-side positions include: slip, gully, point, cover point, extra cover, mid-off; on-side positions include: square leg, mid-wicket, mid-on, fine leg. The naming system is imprecise (regional variations exist) but is understood globally in cricket commentary.
Off-Side Positions
Off-side fielding positions for a right-handed batsman (from behind the wicket to behind square off): First slip: directly behind the wicket on the off side, 2-3 metres from the keeper, to catch outside edges going behind the batsman. Second slip: 4-5 metres further behind square from first slip. Third slip: further again from second slip (only used when heavy swing is expected). Gully: square on the off side, approximately 45 degrees from the wicket — catches short-pitched balls that the batsman guides off the outside edge. Point: approximately square on the off side, further back — cuts intercepted here. Cover point: between point and extra cover, approximately 60 degrees from the wicket. Extra cover: between cover point and mid-off, approximately 75-80 degrees. Mid-off: straight down the ground on the off side, approximately 80-90 degrees.
On-Side Positions
On-side (leg-side) fielding positions for a right-handed batsman: Short leg: very close to the batsman on the on side — in the line of the batsman's pad; catches balls that are deflected off pad or bat-pad. Silly mid-on: similarly close but slightly forward. Square leg: approximately 90 degrees on the leg side, catching pull and sweep shots. Mid-wicket: between square leg and mid-on, catching on-drives and pull shots. Mid-on: on the on side straight down the pitch from the batsman (mirroring mid-off on the off side). Fine leg: behind square on the leg side — catches top edges from hooks and sweeps, and intercepts glances and deflections through fine leg. Third man: behind the wicketkeeper on the off side (third man is actually on the off side despite the name suggesting otherwise to beginners — it is fine leg's off-side equivalent).
Deep Positions
Deep fielding positions are 'long' versions of the inner-ring positions: 'Long' prefix indicates a position near the boundary: long-on (deep mid-on), long-off (deep mid-off), deep mid-wicket, deep square leg, deep fine leg. 'Deep' positions are placed near the 30-yard circle or beyond, specifically to save boundaries that the inner-ring fielder cannot reach. In ODI cricket's middle overs (11-40), typically 4 fielders are allowed outside the circle — the captain places them specifically to cut off the scoring zones revealed by the batting team's wagon wheel (where they hit the ball most frequently). In T20 death overs (final 4-5 overs), all 5 permitted boundary fielders are deployed at the boundary's edge to save sixes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the fielding positions in cricket?
Cricket fielding positions are named locations around the batsman where fielders are placed. The main positions by area: behind the wicket on the off side: first slip, second slip, third slip, gully; square on the off side: point, cover point; straight on the off side: extra cover, mid-off; square on the leg side: square leg, mid-wicket; straight on the leg side: mid-on; behind the wicket on the leg side: fine leg; behind the wicket on the off side (far around): third man; close catching: short leg, silly mid-on, silly point. Positions prefixed with 'deep' or 'long' indicate boundary-area fielders: long-on, long-off, deep mid-wicket, deep fine leg. There are approximately 30 named positions in total.
What is silly point in cricket?
Silly point is a close catching fielding position on the off side, very close to the batsman — approximately 2-4 metres away, level with the batsman's body. It is placed to catch deflections from the bat or bat-pad combination against spin bowling. The name 'silly' refers to the apparent silliness of standing so close to the batsman's bat — a hard-hit shot at this fielder can be dangerous. Silly point is typically used against spin bowlers when the pitch is offering sharp turn, and the batsman is likely to play across the line (creating a bat-pad deflection opportunity). Related positions: silly mid-on (same distance but on the leg side, slightly forward of the batsman) and short leg (on the leg side, behind square of the batsman).
What is third man in cricket?
Third man is a fielding position behind the wicketkeeper, on the off side — between the wicketkeeper and the cover boundary. It is placed to intercept outside edges from the batsman that travel fine (past the slip fielders) on the off side. Third man is called 'third man' historically because it was the third defensive position behind the wicket when fielding arrangements first developed (after the wicketkeeper and first slip). In modern cricket, third man is routinely used in T20 and ODI cricket to save boundaries from cut shots, late cuts, and glances to the off side. In Test cricket, third man is typically removed when a more aggressive cordon (extra slip or gully) is needed.