Have you ever watched cricket and heard words like “gully” or “cow corner” and felt completely lost? You’re not alone.
These strange names make no sense to beginners.
The biggest problem isn’t just the weird names. It’s that you cannot picture where these positions actually are on the field.
When someone says, “Put a fielder at deep square leg,” your mind goes blank.
This happens because cricket uses old English terms instead of simple directions.
There’s no “left fielder” or “right fielder” like in other sports. Instead, we have a silly point, a third man, and a short leg.
Cricket Fielding Positions
This guide teaches you Cricket Fielding Positions using memory tricks and mental pictures.
You’ll learn to imagine the field like a map in your head. By the end, you’ll know exactly where each player stands and why they’re there.
No complicated language. No expert terms. Just simple explanations that help you see cricket clearly.
Quick Reference: Cricket Fielding Positions List
Common positions every beginner should know:
- Wicketkeeper, First Slip, Second Slip, Gully, Point, Cover, Extra Cover, Mid-off, Mid-on, Square Leg, Fine Leg, Third Man, Long Off, Long On, Cow Corner, Deep Midwicket, Short Leg, Silly Point, Backward Point, Deep Cover
What Are Fielding Positions in Cricket?
Cricket Fielding Positions are named spots on the field where the 11 players stand during a match. Each position has a specific name and location.
Players don’t just stand anywhere they want. The captain assigns everyone a particular spot based on a plan to stop runs and get batters out.
One-line meaning: Fielding positions are pre-decided locations where players defend against scoring and create chances to take wickets.
Think of it like a football formation. Just as football teams use 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formations, cricket teams organize their 11 players in planned patterns across the field.
The difference is that cricket uses unique names for each position instead of numbers or simple descriptions.
Why Fielding Positions Matter?
Correct fielding positions win cricket matches in simple ways.
When fielders stand in the right places, they block the areas where batters want to hit. This stops easy runs and forces batters to play difficult shots.
Good positioning also creates catching opportunities. If fielders are in the right spots when batters make mistakes, catches get taken and wickets fall.
Imagine playing without planned positions. Batters would hit the ball into empty spaces every time. No catches would happen. Runs would flow freely.
That’s why even in school cricket, coaches teach proper field placements. It’s the foundation of smart team defense.
Grouping Fielding Positions (Made Easy)
Learning 50+ position names all at once is impossible. Your brain can’t remember that much information.
The smart way is to group positions by where they are and what they do.
- Group 1: Close-in fielders stand very near the batter to catch deflections quickly.
- Group 2: Infielders patrol inside the 30-yard circle, stopping quick singles.
- Group 3: Outfielders guard the boundary ropes against big hits.
- Group 4: Behind-the-wicket fielders wait behind the batter for edges.
- Group 5: Rare positions appear only in special tactical situations.
When you group positions this way, memory becomes easier. Instead of random names, you remember categories first, then specific positions within each category.
This is how cricket players actually learn fielding—step by step, group by group.
Fielding Restrictions and Rules (Made Simple)
Cricket has clear rules about where fielders can and cannot stand.
- Basic leg-side rule: Only 2 fielders allowed behind the square on the leg side at any time. If teams break this, the umpire calls a no-ball.
Understanding Cricket fielding positions in powerplay is important for limited-overs cricket. In T20’s first 6 overs and ODI’s first 10 overs, only 2 fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle.
This rule gives batters a chance to score freely early on. After the power play ends, teams can place 4 fielders outside, then 5 in the final overs.
- Leg-side maximum: Never more than 5 fielders on the leg side total. This prevents teams from crowding one side unfairly.
- Movement restrictions: Fielders set positions before the bowler runs up. Once the bowler starts their delivery action, no one can move positions.
Test cricket has no powerplay rules. Captains have complete freedom to place fielders anywhere within legal limits. This creates more variety in Test match field setups.
Close-In Fielders (For Catching & Pressure)
Close-in fielders stand dangerously close to the batter—sometimes just 2-3 meters away. These players often wear helmets and leg pads for protection.
Why place fielders so close? Spin bowlers create edges and deflections that pop up nearby. Having catchers right there increases wicket chances dramatically.
- Silly Point stands on the offside, almost beside the pitch. The name “silly” comes from how brave (or silly) you must be to stand there.
- Short Leg positions on the leg side near the batter’s legs. This fielder catches balls that hit the pads and then pop up softly.
- Silly Mid-off and Silly Mid-on are straight fielders very close to the batter, used mainly when spinners are bowling.
These positions appear mostly in Test cricket, where batters play more defensively. In T20 cricket, batters swing too hard, making close-in fielding too risky.
The purpose is to create pressure. When batters see fielders breathing down their neck, they rush shots and make errors.
Infielders (Inside the Circle)
Infielders work inside the 30-yard circle marked on the field. They handle most ground balls and prevent easy singles.
Understanding Cricket fielding positions 11 players for right-hand batsmen helps here. Imagine a right-handed batter facing the bowler. The right side is called “off-side.” The left side is “leg-side.”
Off-side infield positions:
- Point stands square (sideways) on the offside, stopping cut shots.
- Cover protects the area between point and mid-off.
- Extra Cover is between cover and mid-off.
- Mid-off stands straight on the off-side.
Leg-side infield positions:
- Mid-on is the straight fielder on the leg side.
- Square Leg stands perpendicular to the leg side.
- Short Fine Leg waits near the wicket for leg-side deflections.
Infielders need quick reactions and good throwing arms. Their main job is cutting off singles and creating run-out pressure.
Strong infield placement makes scoring difficult. Batters must take risks to find runs, which often leads to wickets.
Outfielders (Boundary Protection)
Outfielders patrol near the boundary ropes. Their job is stopping fours, catching sixes, and saving runs on big hits.
Common boundary positions:
- Long off guards the straight boundary on the offside.
- Long On does the same on the leg-side.
- Cow Corner sits deep between long-on and deep mid-wicket, where power hitters aim.
Deep Square Leg and Deep Fine Leg protect behind the square on the leg side.
- Deep Cover covers the offside boundary.
- Third Man stands fine on the off-side behind the wicket.
In Cricket, fielding positions 11 players in T20 matches, outfielders dominate. Teams place 5-6 fielders on boundaries during death overs because batters constantly attempt sixes.
For Cricket fielding positions, 11 players in test cricket, outfielders are less common early on. Teams prefer slip fielders and close catchers when balls are new and moving.
As Test innings progress and batters settle, fielders gradually move back to save boundaries.
Behind the Wicket Fielders
These positions focus entirely on catching edges when batters miss or mistime deliveries.
- Wicketkeeper is the most crucial position. Standing directly behind stumps with gloves, the keeper handles every ball the batter doesn’t hit.
- Slip cordon lines up beside the keeper.
- First Slip stands closest.
- Second Slip and Third Slip extend further out. Fast bowlers use multiple slips to catch edges.
- Gully positions wider than slips at a different angle, catching edges that fly thicker and squarer.
- Leg Slip occasionally appears on the leg side for specific bowling plans targeting the batter’s body.
These fielders need excellent hand-eye coordination and concentration. One moment of lost focus costs a catch that could decide the match.
Test cricket relies heavily on slip catching. Over 40% of Test wickets come from behind-the-wicket catches, making these positions absolutely vital.
Rare and Special Fielding Positions
Some fielding spots appear only occasionally when captains try unusual tactics.
- Long Stop stands behind the wicketkeeper as backup. You’ll see this in junior cricket or when wicketkeepers are inexperienced.
- Fly Slip is a deeper slip position between standard slips and the third man. Used when batters edge balls aerially rather than along the ground.
- Leg 45 or simply 45 positions at a 45-degree angle on the leg side, cutting off fine glances and deflections.
- Short Third Man is the close-in version of the third man, placed for delicate edges or cut shots.
Captains use these when they notice specific batting patterns. If a batter keeps edging balls in the air to a certain spot, the captain places a fielder exactly there.
These positions prove cricket is a thinking game. Smart field placement based on observation often creates wickets from nowhere.
Visualizing the Field Setup (Without a Diagram)
The easiest way to picture Cricket Fielding Positions is to imagine a giant clock.
Place the batter at the clock’s center, facing 6 o’clock (that’s where the bowler runs from).
- 12 o’clock represents straight down the ground—Long Off and Long On positions.
- 3 o’clock is the offside area—Point, Cover, Third Man positions.
- 9 o’clock is the leg-side area—Square Leg, Fine Leg positions.
Positions close to the center are near the batter (Silly Point, Short Leg). Positions near the clock’s edge are boundary fielders (Deep Cover, Deep Midwicket).
Many learners find the cricket field positions with image references helpful. Visual diagrams show exactly where each position sits, making the clock method even clearer.
Practice this mental picture while watching matches. When commentators say “fielder at deep mid-wicket,” imagine 9-10 o’clock near the boundary. Your brain will start automatically placing fielders correctly.
Most Common Fielding Setups (Simple Examples)
- Setup 1: Fast Bowler With New Ball Four slips, one gully, point, mid-off, mid-on, fine leg. This aggressive attacking field aims for edge catches.
- Setup 2: Spinner Bowling Middle Overs One slip, silly point, short leg, mid-wicket, deep square leg, long-on, long-off. Balances close catchers with boundary protection.
- Setup 3: T20 Death Overs Long-off, long-on, deep mid-wicket, deep extra cover, deep square leg, deep backward point, third man. Nearly everyone guards boundaries.
Notice how fields change completely based on bowling type and match situation. Fast bowlers need slips. Spinners need close catchers. Death overs need boundary riders.
Understanding these basic setups helps you predict where fielders will move during matches.
How Captains Decide Field Placements?
Smart captains think about four things when setting fields.
- First, they study the batter. Does this player cut well? Add more offside fielders. Does he pull often? Strengthen the leg-side boundary.
- Second, they match the bowler’s strengths. Fast bowlers get slip cordons. Spinners get silly points and short leg. Fielding must support bowling.
- Third, they consider match format. Test cricket allows aggressive catching positions. T20 cricket demands boundary protection.
- Fourth, they read conditions. Turning pitches need closer catchers. Flat batting wickets need more boundary fielders.
Good captains constantly adjust fields based on what’s happening. If a batter keeps hitting to one area, fielders shift to block it.
This is why cricket is called a captain’s game. Field placement decisions often decide match results.
Pros and Cons of Fielding Setups
Advantages:
- Stops boundaries and controls the run flow effectively
- Creates catching opportunities in strategic positions
- Builds mental pressure on batters
- Adapts to changing match situations quickly
Disadvantages:
- Wrong positions create scoring gaps
- Too many catchers leave boundaries unprotected
- Needs good communication and quick adjustments
- Fails if bowlers don’t bowl to the plan
Every fielding decision involves risk and reward. Captains must balance attacking intent with defensive safety constantly throughout matches.
FAQs – Beginner Questions Answered
- How many fielding positions are there in cricket?
Cricket has over 50 named positions, but matches regularly use about 25-30 common ones.
- What is a silly point in cricket?
A very close fielding position on the off-side beside the pitch, used for catching deflections off spinners.
- What does cow corner mean?
A deep fielding position between long-on and deep mid-wicket, where batters hit powerful cross-batted shots.
Can fielders move anywhere during play?
No, fielders cannot move once the bowler starts their delivery stride. Movement before that is allowed.
- Why do T20 and Test cricket use different positions?
T20 needs boundary protection against big hitting. Tests use close catchers for wicket-taking off quality bowling.
- What is the wicketkeeper’s main job?
Catching balls behind the stumps, stopping byes, and coordinating field placements with the captain.
- Why are slip fielders important?
They catch edges from fast bowling, which accounts for a huge percentage of wickets in Test cricket.
- What position is the third man?
A boundary fielder positioned fine on the off-side behind the wicket, catching edges and stopping deflections.
- Can any player be a wicketkeeper?
Yes, but only one player can keep wickets at a time, and they must wear proper gloves.
- What happens if teams place fielders illegally?
The umpire signals a no-ball, giving the batting team an extra run and a free hit.
- How do beginners memorize all positions?
Use the clock method, learn positions in groups, and watch cricket regularly to see them in action.
- Why is the position called a point?
Historical term describing the fielder standing at the “point” of an angle square from the batter on the off-side.
Conclusion – Understanding Fielding Makes Cricket Easier
Learning Cricket Fielding Positions opens up the entire game. Names that sounded like nonsense now make complete sense. You can watch matches, understanding exactly why fielders stand where they do.
Whether you download a Cricket Fielding Positions 11 players PDF for reference, use a Cricket Fielding Positions 11 players app for practice, or simply apply this knowledge while watching games, cricket becomes much more enjoyable.
You’ll notice tactical battles between captains and batters. You’ll predict field changes before they happen. You’ll appreciate smart catches and clever field placements.
The next time someone mentions deep square leg or silly mid-off, you’ll picture it immediately. Cricket just transformed from a confusing sport into a game that makes perfect sense.
Also Check:
- LBW in Cricket
- What Is a Bat Flip in BBL
- Batting Rules in Cricket Explained
- Cricket Ground Dimensions
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