Cricket Fielding Positions and Names Explained
A complete guide to cricket fielding positions — slip, gully, mid-on, mid-off, covers, square leg, fine leg, and all the rest, with why each position exists.
Cricket has more named fielding positions than virtually any other sport. Understanding the names and their locations is essential for following commentary, understanding captain tactics, and reading scorecards. Positions are named relative to the right-handed batter at the crease.
Off Side vs Leg Side
The field is divided into the off side (the side the batter faces when in stance — to their right for a right-hander) and the leg side (the side the batter's legs are on — to their left). Positions on the off side generally have 'cover' or 'point' in their names; positions on the leg side use 'leg', 'square', or 'mid-wicket'.
Close Catching Positions
- Slip: Behind the batter on the off side, catching edges. First slip is closest to the wicketkeeper, second slip next, and so on.
- Gully: Wider than slip, positioned at an angle to catch deflections through the gully region.
- Leg slip: Behind the batter on the leg side, catching deflections off the pads.
- Silly mid-on / silly mid-off: Dangerously close to the batter in front, used against spin bowlers.
- Bat-pad: Similar to silly mid-on/off, positioned to catch the ball off bat and pad close together.
Outfield Positions
- Cover point and extra cover: Off side outfield, cut off drives through the covers.
- Mid-off: Behind the bowler on the off side, stopping straight drives.
- Mid-on: Behind the bowler on the leg side, stopping on-drives.
- Square leg: On the leg side at 90 degrees to the wicket, cutting off pull shots.
- Fine leg: Leg side, behind the wicket, retrieving edges and glances.
- Third man: Off side, behind the wicket, retrieving edges and upper cuts.
- Long-on / long-off: Deep positions behind the bowler, saving sixes and big hits.
- Deep mid-wicket: Leg side outfield, used in T20 to save sixes.
Fielding Restrictions
In limited-overs cricket, fielding restrictions define how many players can be placed outside the 30-yard circle (the inner ring). During powerplay overs only 2 fielders are allowed outside; in normal play it rises to 4 in ODIs (5 in death). This forces captains to balance protection of boundaries against wicket-taking close catchers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called 'slip'?
The position is called slip because it is placed to catch the ball if it 'slips' off the edge of the bat. A batter aiming to drive outside off stump but getting a thin edge sends the ball in the direction of the slip fielder. The name has been in use since the 19th century.
What is the 'cordon' in cricket?
The cordon refers collectively to the wicketkeeper and the slip fielders — the group positioned behind the batter on the off side. A 'full cordon' in Test cricket might be wicketkeeper, first slip, second slip, third slip, and gully — five catchers in that arc. Against new ball bowlers generating outside-edge catches, a packed cordon is standard.
Are fielding positions fixed or can the captain change them?
The captain can change fielding positions at any point between deliveries. Captains move fielders constantly based on the batter, the bowler, the match situation, and information about where the batter has been scoring. Experienced captains make adjustments after almost every over.