Foundation3 min
Mid-Wicket Fielding Position in Cricket
What is mid-wicket in cricket? Where the position sits, why it is so important in limited-overs cricket, and when captains use mid-wicket vs deep mid-wicket.
Written by GeoCric EditorialUpdated Jul 21, 2026
Mid-wicket is a leg-side fielding position located roughly 30–45 degrees from the batsman on the leg side, between mid-on (straighter) and square leg (squarer). It is one of the most common fielding positions in all formats and is positioned directly in the arc of the pull, flick, and slog sweep shots.
What Mid-Wicket Stops
- Flick shots off the legs directed toward mid-wicket.
- Slog sweeps that don't go far enough to clear the boundary.
- Pull shots that don't go square.
- On drives that are hit more strongly and run through mid-on.
Infield vs Deep
| Position | Depth | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-wicket (up) | Inside the ring | Save singles, relay throw |
| Deep mid-wicket | Boundary | Save six — concedes single |
Mid-wicket is one of the most contested positions in T20 captaincy. Bringing mid-wicket up invites the slog sweep for six; pushing back concedes easy singles. Captains adjust depending on the batsman's scoring tendency.
Frequently asked questions
Is mid-wicket on the leg side?
Yes — mid-wicket is always on the leg side, between mid-on and square leg.
What fielder position is opposite mid-wicket?
Cover point is roughly the equivalent position on the off side — both are angled 30–45 degrees from the batsman, on opposite sides of the pitch.