Why Cricket Fielding Positions Have Their Names

The Two Halves: Off Side and Leg Side

Every fielding position in cricket is defined by its relationship to the batsman. The off side is the side away from the batsman's body (for a right-hander, the off side is to their right when facing the bowler). The leg side (also called the on side) is the side of the batsman's legs (their left side). This division organises the entire field. A cover point is on the off side at cover (mid-range). A mid-wicket is on the leg side at mid-range. Square leg is directly to the side. Fine leg is behind the batsman on the leg side. The names locate where each fielder stands relative to this body-based map.

The Slip Cordon

Slips are positioned behind the batsman on the off side, in a diagonal line extending away from the wicketkeeper. The name 'slip' comes from the idea that an edged ball 'slips' past the wicketkeeper — slips catch the deliveries that touch the bat and divert away. First slip stands closest to the keeper; second, third, and even fourth slip stand progressively further back. Gully is named from a drain or channel — it sits at an angle in a 'gully' between slip and point, catching balls that travel along the ground or in the air through that corridor. A 'leg slip' — on the leg side behind the batsman — is used specifically against spinners when the ball might catch the inside edge.

The Covers and Outfield

Cover point is named from the original concept that this fielder 'covers' both the point and the extra cover positions — a single fielder covering a large arc of the off side. Extra cover is 'extra' because it is an additional cover fielder, further from the batsman than cover. Mid-off is the mid-distance fielder on the off side at the non-striker's end — 'mid' means middle distance, 'off' means off side. Mid-on is directly opposite — mid-distance on the leg side, at the bowler's end. These two fielders often start conversations between batsmen during breaks in play because they are the closest fielders to the pitch.

Short, Deep, and Fine

Fielding position names are further modified by three distance adjectives: 'short' means close to the batsman (short midwicket, short leg), 'deep' means in the outfield (deep midwicket, deep backward square), and 'fine' means at an acute angle behind the batsman (fine leg, third man is also known as fine third). 'Backward' means behind the line of the crease, facing the batsman's back. 'Square' means at right angles to the pitch — directly sideways. A 'backward short leg' is therefore: a close-in fielder (short), on the leg side (leg), positioned behind the batsman's line (backward). Learning these modifiers unlocks the entire fielding vocabulary from just a handful of words.

Third Man and Silly Positions

Third man sits behind the wicketkeeper on the off side, at the boundary — historically the 'third' fielder placed behind the crease after slips and the keeper. It catches late cuts and deflections. 'Silly' positions — silly mid-on, silly mid-off, silly point — are extremely close to the batsman, often only five or six metres away. The name 'silly' reflects Victorian English humour: it was considered silly (risky, absurd) to stand so close to a batsman. These positions are used against spin bowling on slow pitches when the ball is turning and short-pitch catching chances are high. Fielders at silly positions wear helmets and protection — standing that close to a batsman hitting hard deliveries requires genuine bravery.