Third Man Fielding Position in Cricket
What is third man in cricket? Where this boundary fielder stands on the off side, what strokes it covers, and its importance in seam-bowling fields.
Third man is an off-side boundary fielding position stationed behind square on the off side — the mirror image of fine leg on the opposite side. It is placed to save boundaries from edges, late cuts, and slaps that travel finely on the off side past the wicketkeeper and slips.
What Third Man Saves
- Edges from the bat that travel past the slips and gully toward the off-side boundary.
- Late cuts — deliberate deflections behind square on the off side.
- Ramp shots over gully or backward point that don't clear the rope.
- Fast edges off quick bowlers that bypass the slip cordon.
Why Third Man Is Essential in Seam Bowling Fields
When a fast bowler is operating with swing or seam movement, edges are frequent. Without third man, every edge past the keeper runs to the off-side boundary. Third man saves many boundaries per innings against seam bowling.
| Shot type | Goes to third man |
|---|---|
| Outside edge past keeper | Yes — running fine |
| Late cut | Yes — exactly third man region |
| Ramp over backward point | Often — depends on elevation |
| Upper cut | Sometimes — can carry over third man for 6 |
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called 'third man'?
The origin is uncertain but the most popular theory is that it is the third fielder from the batsman's right side (after first and second slip), further around the off side.
Is third man on the off side or leg side?
Third man is always on the off side — behind square on the right of a right-handed batsman. The equivalent leg-side position is fine leg.