Cricket Fielding Positions: Infield and Outfield Names Explained
A complete guide to every named fielding position in cricket, from slip cordon and close catching positions to the outfield boundary riders — what they're called and where they stand.
Cricket has more named fielding positions than almost any other team sport — a vocabulary built over centuries that tells fielders exactly where to stand on any part of a circular field. Learning the position names makes following cricket commentary far more rewarding, as commentators reference these names constantly to describe where shots go and where fielders are stationed.
The Slip Cordon
Behind the batter on the off side stands the slip cordon: first slip is closest to the wicketkeeper, second slip is further away, and third slip is further still. Gully stands wider than third slip and takes catches from cut shots. Leg-slip mirrors the cordon on the leg side. Against pace bowling in Test cricket, teams typically station between 2 and 4 fielders in the slip area to capitalise on edges.
Close Catching Positions
Short leg and silly mid-on are positioned very close to the batter on the leg side, designed to catch deflections from bat-pad and forward defensive strokes. These are used primarily against spin bowlers when the pitch is taking turn. Silly point mirrors silly mid-on on the off side. These positions are extremely dangerous and fielders wear helmets and chest guards when stationed there.
Mid-Field Positions
Cover point and point are stationed on the off side to cut off drives and cuts. Mid-off and mid-on flank the bowler on either side to stop straight shots and return for run-outs. Square leg and mid-wicket are on the leg side for pulls and sweeps. These mid-field positions are the workhorse positions — they cover the most common hitting areas and are often used by teams to cut off easy singles.
Outfield Boundary Positions
Deep cover, deep point, deep mid-wicket, long-on, long-off, deep fine leg, and deep square leg are all boundary-protecting positions used in the death overs of limited-overs cricket. A captain might place five or six fielders on or near the boundary in the final overs to prevent sixes and fours while conceding singles. These athletic fielders need to cover large distances and execute boundary catches and throws quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cover and extra cover?
Cover point is positioned squarely off the batter on the off side, about halfway between the crease and the boundary, to cut off drives hit square. Extra cover is slightly straighter — closer to mid-off — and positioned to stop drives hit more down the ground on the off side. Both positions are common against attacking right-handed batters.
What does 'fine leg' mean in cricket fielding?
Fine leg is a fielding position on the leg side, stationed behind the batter and behind square — meaning at an acute angle between the wicketkeeper and the leg-side boundary. It catches glances and tickles off the batter's body off pace bowling, and is one of the most frequently used positions in all formats of cricket.