Foundation3 min
Long On Fielding Position in Cricket
What is long on in cricket? Where this deep fielder stands, what shots they cover, and when the captain moves them inside or outside the ring.
Written by GeoCric EditorialUpdated Jul 21, 2026
Long on is a deep leg-side fielding position on the boundary, directly behind the bowler and positioned straight or slightly angled toward mid-on. It is placed to save the straight slog and on-drive for six in limited-overs cricket.
What Long On Saves
- Straight lofted drives that clear mid-on but don't reach the boundary on the full.
- Slog shots aimed straight down the ground — the most natural power shot.
- Mistimed slog sweeps that go nearly straight.
- Miscued helicopter shots and flicks that balloon toward long on.
Long On vs Mid-On
| Position | Depth | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-on (up) | Inside the ring | Save singles, run out opportunities |
| Long on (boundary) | On the rope | Save sixes from straight shots |
Long on and long off are the two boundary positions most often placed by captains when a big hitter comes in during death overs in T20 and ODI cricket. They are the first fielders moved to the boundary when wickets are taken and the run rate demand rises.
Frequently asked questions
Can long on be positioned squarer?
Yes — a 'deep mid-wicket' is essentially a squarer version of long on. Captains adjust the angle based on where the batsman is likely to hit.
Is long on on the leg side?
Yes — long on is on the leg side (behind the bowler, to the left from a right-handed batsman's perspective).