Cricket Fielding Positions: Every Position Explained — From First Slip to Fine Leg
Cricket has over 30 named fielding positions arranged in a circle around the pitch. Understanding fielding positions is essential to following tactical discussions. Key positions: slip (1st, 2nd, 3rd — catching behind the wicket on the off side), gully (wider than slip), point (square of the wicket on the off side), cover (between point and mid-off), mid-on, mid-off, square leg, fine leg, long-on, long-off (boundary), deep mid-wicket. The captain arranges these positions based on the bowler type, pitch conditions, and batter's tendencies.
A cricket field is divided into the on side (leg side — to the batter's left for a right-hander) and the off side (to the right). Positions are named based on their relationship to the pitch, the wicket, and the square (the 90-degree line from the popping crease). Understanding all fielding positions allows fans to follow a captain's decision-making and a commentator's field-setting description.
Behind the Wicket (Off Side)
- First Slip: directly behind the wicketkeeper, angled toward the off-side. Primary catching position for edges off fast bowling.
- Second Slip: wider than first slip, toward cover. Catches thicker edges.
- Third Slip/Gully: wider still, almost square of the wicket. Between slip and point.
- Gully: square of the wicket on the off side, about 15m from the bat. Catches square drives and top edges.
- Point: square of the wicket, level with the popping crease. Classic off-side catching/stopping position.
- Cover Point: between point and mid-off. A primary fielding position for driving restriction.
- Mid-off: straight on the off side, roughly 10–15m from the bowler. Intercepts straight drives.
On Side and Boundary Positions
- Mid-on: straight on the leg side, mirror of mid-off. Intercepts straight drives to the on side.
- Square Leg: square of the wicket on the leg side. Positioned to catch pulls and cut shots.
- Fine Leg: behind square on the leg side, near the boundary. Intercepts fine glances and edges.
- Long-on / Long-off: boundary fielders on the straight boundary (on side/off side respectively). Stop sixes and lofted drives.
- Deep Mid-wicket / Deep Square Leg: boundary fielders on the leg side. Stop pulled shots and lofted flicks.
- Silly Mid-on / Short Leg: very close to the bat (within 5m), positioned for catches off the bat's face (typically for spinners on turning pitches).
Frequently asked questions
How do captains set fields differently for pace bowlers vs spinners, and what field settings are most common in Test cricket?
Field settings for pace vs spin in Test cricket. The art of field placing is one of cricket's most tactically complex disciplines — a captain must anticipate where the ball will go based on the bowler's trajectory, the batter's tendencies, the pitch surface, and the match situation. For pace bowlers with the new ball (overs 1–20): typical Test field: 3 slips, gully, point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, fine leg, square leg (= 9 close/infield fielders + wicketkeeper). The aim: if the ball swings or seams, edges are caught in the slip cordon; if straight, mid-off/mid-on stop drives. For reverse swing pace bowling (overs 40–80): the slip cordon usually drops to 1–2 slips; boundary fielders come in. The ball moving late creates different dismissal patterns (LBW, bowled, caught behind) not caught by high slip numbers. For off-spin (right-arm, turning away from right-hander): typical field: slip, gully removed; forward short leg, silly mid-on (close catchers for bat-pad), long-on, long-off (boundary), mid-wicket (prevent the sweep). The aim: take catches from batters driving through the off side, or from defensive shots lobbing to close catchers. For leg-spin (turning into right-hander): sillier close catchers (short leg, silly point), deeper covers (batter likely to drive through the off side if deceived), fine leg (for top-edged sweep), cover (for late cuts). The T20 field: dramatically different from Test settings. The powerplay (overs 1–6) forces only 2 fielders outside the circle — meaning 8 fielders inside. Captains typically use 2 slips, cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket, square leg, fine leg. After the powerplay, fielders shift to boundary positions — 5–6 boundary fielders are standard in the final 8 overs. The most telling tactical decisions: (1) Whether to post a slip in T20 (many captains don't, prioritising run prevention). (2) Whether to use a short-pitched field (short mid-wicket, backward square leg) to lure the hook/pull shot. (3) How many boundary fielders to use at the death (overs 17–20). Each decision reflects the captain's read of the batter's instincts.