Cricket Fielding Rules and Positions: A Complete Guide
How fielding works in cricket — the Laws governing fielder positioning, the number of fielders allowed in different zones, and what restrictions apply in each format.
Cricket's fielding laws govern where the 9 fielders (excluding wicket-keeper and bowler) can be positioned and how many fielders can be in certain zones of the field at any given time. These restrictions vary significantly between Test cricket and limited-overs formats, creating very different tactical environments.
Test Cricket Fielding — No Restrictions
In Test cricket, captains can position all nine fielders anywhere they choose within the boundary rope. The only restrictions are that no more than two fielders may stand behind the popping crease on the leg side (to prevent extreme leg-trap tactics), and all fielders must be on the field of play when the bowler runs in to bowl. This freedom creates the rich tactical variety that distinguishes Test match captaincy.
ODI Fielding Restrictions — Powerplay and Mandatory Circles
In 50-over cricket, fielding restrictions create three phases. In the Powerplay (overs 1–10), only two fielders may be outside the 30-yard inner circle, forcing more balls into gaps. In overs 11–40, a maximum of four fielders may be outside the circle. In the death overs (41–50), up to five fielders may stand outside the circle. These restrictions balance attack and defence across the innings.
T20 Fielding Restrictions
T20 cricket has a mandatory Powerplay for the first six overs in which only two fielders may be outside the 30-yard circle. After the Powerplay, a maximum of five fielders may stand outside the circle at any time. The compressed T20 format means almost all overs carry some fielding restriction, which is why T20 bowling is so challenging — there are always gaps to attack.
Leg-Side Fielding Restrictions
The maximum of two fielders behind the popping crease on the leg side — which applies in all formats — exists to prevent the negative tactic of stacking the leg side with short-leg, leg-slip, and square-leg fielders to trap batters against leg-stump bowling. If more than two fielders are positioned in this zone, the delivery is a no-ball. This restriction is particularly relevant in Tests against left-arm orthodox bowlers who target leg stump.
Frequently asked questions
How many fielders are allowed on the leg side in cricket?
At any time during a delivery, no more than two fielders are permitted to be standing behind the popping crease on the leg side of the wicket. This applies in all formats. Additional fielders can stand in the leg-side region in front of the popping crease (such as mid-on, mid-wicket, or square leg) without limitation.
What happens if the fielding captain has too many fielders outside the circle in an ODI?
If the fielding side has more than the permitted number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle at the moment the bowler delivers, the umpire calls a no-ball. This means the batting side receives a free hit on the next delivery, one extra run is added, and the original delivery does not count as a legal ball.