Cricket Fielding Positions Explained: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

If you’re new to cricket and someone says, “Go stand at deep square leg,” you might freeze, not knowing where that even is. It’s a common problem—many beginners, casual players, or even fans don’t understand the different cricket fielding positions. The names sound confusing, and it’s hard to picture where everyone is supposed to stand on the field. This can make the game feel complicated or even frustrating when you're just starting out.

This guide is made for you if you’re a beginner, a young player, a parent trying to help your kid, or a fan who wants to follow matches better. By the end, you’ll understand all the basic and advanced fielding positions in cricket, what they’re called, and where they are. No fancy terms—just simple, clear explanations that make sense right away. Let’s make cricket easier to watch, play, and enjoy.

What Are Fielding Positions in Cricket?

Fielding positions in cricket refer to specific spots where players are placed to stop runs, catch balls, or create pressure on the batter. These placements are not random—they're part of a planned cricket field setup that changes depending on who's bowling, how the pitch behaves, and the batter's style of play.

Think of the cricket field like a giant clock with the batter at the center. Every position has a name and purpose, whether it’s right behind the batter (like a slip), deep on the boundary (like long on), or close and aggressive (like silly point). This setup helps the captain maximize chances of wickets and minimize runs.

From backyard cricket to international matches, the positioning logic remains the same. Once you understand these placements, everything starts to make sense—even fast-paced games like T20s.

Also Read :  Types of Cricket Matches

Why Fielding Positions Matter

Knowing the names of cricket positions isn’t just for show. It helps every player know exactly where to go and what to expect when a ball is hit in their direction. More importantly, it allows the team to apply smart strategy.

For example, in Test matches, you’ll often see close-in catchers like silly point and short leg because they’re waiting for edges off spin bowlers. But in a T20 game, those same fielders might move to the boundary to stop sixes.

Each position has its own function:

• Slips catch edges behind the batter.
  
• Point cuts off square drives.
  
• Mid-off and mid-on stop straight drives.
  
• Deep square leg and long on are set to catch power shots.
  

Without this structured field, it would be chaos—and cricket is anything but that.

Grouping Fielding Positions (Made Easy)

To keep things simple, we’ll break fielding positions into five easy-to-understand groups:

1. Close-In Fielders – Players near the batter to take quick catches.
   
2. Infielders – Inside the 30-yard circle, stopping quick singles.
   
3. Outfielders – Near the boundary, handling big hits.
   
4. Behind the Wicket – Positioned directly behind the batter for catches.
   
5. Rare/Special Tactics – Unique spots used in advanced situations.
   

These groups make it easier to learn how cricket field placements work and when each position is used.

Also Read Ways to improve your batting strike rate

Fielding Restrictions and Rules (Made Simple)

What to include in that section:

1. No more than 2 fielders behind square on the leg side
   
   • Applies to all formats
     
   • Violating it = No ball
     
     
2. Powerplay rules (in limited overs)
   
   • First 6 overs in T20 / 10 in ODIs = Only 2 fielders allowed outside 30-yard circle
     
   • Mid overs = 4 allowed outside
     
   • Final overs = 5 allowed outside
     
     
3. Maximum 5 fielders on leg side
   
   • Can’t overload one side of the batter
     
   • Maintains balance
     
     
4. Movement restriction
   
   • Fielders can adjust positions before the bowler’s run-up but not after the bowler starts their delivery stride.
     
   • Violating this = Dead ball or penalty
     
     
5. Test match freedom
   
   • No powerplays, more flexibility
     
   • Strategic field setups vary based on conditions and batters
     
     
6. Other key points:
   
   • No helmets or gear on the field to intentionally stop the ball (5 penalty runs)
     
   • Only one wicketkeeper allowed
     
   • Substitute fielders can’t bowl or keep.They can keep wickets if the original keeper is injured (rare but allowed).
     

Close-In Fielders (For Catching & Pressure)

Close-in fielders are placed near the batter, sometimes just a few steps away. These positions are used mostly in Test matches or when the fielding team wants to attack and force a mistake. They're perfect for catching small edges or reacting to sudden movements.

Examples of close-in cricket fielding positions:

• Silly Point – Very close on the off-side, often wearing a helmet.
  
• Short Leg (or Bat Pad) – Near the batter’s leg side, catching balls that pop up.
  
• Silly Mid-off / Silly Mid-on – Positioned straight but close to the batter.
  
  

These players need quick reflexes and courage because the ball can come at them fast. Close-in positions are risky but great for taking important catches off spin bowlers.

Infielders (Inside the Circle)

Infielders stand inside the 30-yard circle and are responsible for stopping quick singles, fielding ground shots, and supporting run-out chances. In limited-overs cricket like ODIs and T20s, captains focus heavily on smart infield placement.

Off-side infielders:

• Point – Stands square on the off-side, fields cuts and square drives.
  
• Cover / Extra Cover – Protects the area in front of the batter on the off-side.
  
• Mid-off – Straight and slightly wide, near the bowler.

Leg-side infielders:

• Mid-on – Straight field, but on the leg side.
  
• Square Leg – Perpendicular to the batter’s leg side.
  
• Short Fine Leg – Near the wicket, ready for leg glances.

Having strong infielders makes it harder for the batting team to rotate strike or steal quick runs. This setup works well with pace bowlers or during the early overs.

Outfielders (Boundary Protection)

Outfielders are placed near the boundary and focus on stopping big hits, catching lofted shots, and saving runs. You’ll often see these positions in white-ball cricket like T20s where batters aim for sixes and boundaries.

Common outfield fielding positions in cricket:

• Long On – Straight down the leg side near the boundary.
  
• Long Off – Same as long on but on the off side.
  
• Cow Corner – Deep midwicket, often targeted in power hitting.
  
• Deep Square Leg / Deep Fine Leg – Behind square on the leg side.
  
• Deep Cover / Sweeper Cover – Off-side boundary protection.
  
• Third Man / Deep Third – Fine angle behind the wicket, off side.

These fielders need speed, strong arms, and good judgment to take catches or prevent fours and sixes.

Behind the Wicket Fielders

Behind-the-wicket positions are crucial in catching edges and managing balls that beat the batter. These spots come into play mostly when fast bowlers are in action or when a batter is playing risky shots.

Key positions:

• Wicketkeeper – The only fielder allowed to wear gloves. Stands directly behind the stumps and catches balls the batter misses.
  
• First Slip, Second Slip, Third Slip – Positioned next to the wicketkeeper to catch edges from fast bowlers.
  
• Gully – A bit wider than slip, used for catching thick edges.
  
• Leg Slip – Same as slip but on the leg side.
  
• Fly Slip – A deeper slip, between third man and regular slips.

These fielding positions in cricket are about quick reflexes, soft hands, and solid positioning. They play a big role in Tests where catching edges is key to taking wickets.

Rare and Special Fielding Positions

Some fielding spots aren’t used often but still exist for very specific tactics. You might not see them every game, but they’re important to know if you're learning the names of cricket positions completely.

Rare cricket field placements:

• Long Stop – Behind the wicketkeeper, used in lower-level matches or when the keeper misses a lot.
  
• Short Third Man – Close-in version of third man, used for clever deflections or edge-catching.
  
• Ravine – A unique spot between gully and third man, very rarely used.
  
• 45 (Leg 45) – Positioned halfway between square leg and short fine leg, great for cutting off glances.
  
• Straight Hit – Deep and directly in line with the batter, used for long straight shots.

Captains use these positions when they notice patterns or want to try something unexpected. It’s all about reading the batter and adapting the cricket field setup.

Also Read : Mastering the art of Cricket Strategy with CricInsights

Visualizing the Field Setup (No Diagram Needed)

Even without a diagram, you can picture the field like a giant clock, with the batter in the center.

• 12 o'clock is straight down the ground = Long Off / Long On
  
• 3 o'clock is the off-side = Point / Cover / Third Man
  
• 9 o'clock is leg side = Square Leg / Fine Leg
  
• Close to the batter = Silly Point, Short Leg
  
• Near boundary = Deep Cover, Deep Midwicket, Long Off

This mental image helps beginners understand where each fielder stands in real time. It also makes TV commentary and captain decisions much easier to follow.

Most Common Fielding Setups (Examples)

Example 1: Fast Bowler, New Ball (Test Match)

• 3 Slips
  
• 1 Gully
  
• Point
  
• Mid-off / Mid-on
  
• Fine leg
  
• Third man

Example 2: Spinner, Middle Overs (ODI)

• Slip
  
• Short leg
  
• Point
  
• Mid-wicket
  
• Deep square leg
  
• Long-on / Long-off

Example 3: T20 Death Overs

• Long-off
  
• Long-on
  
• Deep mid-wicket
  
• Deep extra cover
  
• Third man
  
• Fine leg
  
• Deep Backward Square Leg

How Captains Decide Field Placements

A good captain doesn’t guess. He reads:

• The batter’s strengths
  
• The bowler’s skillset
  
• Match conditions
  
• Format of the game

Examples:

• Against an aggressive batter? Push more fielders to the boundary.
  
• Playing on a turning pitch? Add silly point, short leg, and close catchers.
  
• In T20 death overs? Protect straight boundaries: long-on, long-off, deep mid-wicket.

According to ICC Match Data (2023):

• 41% of catches in Tests come from slip or gully
  
• Over 60% of fielding stops in T20s come from outfield positions

Pros & Cons of Fielding Setups

Setting the right fielding positions in cricket can win or lose matches. Here’s a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

• Stops boundaries and limits the scoring rate.
  
• Helps take key catches, especially in close-in positions.
  
• Builds pressure on the batter to make mistakes.
  
• Allows captains to adapt to different bowlers and match formats.

Cons:

• Poor positioning can leak easy runs.
  
• Inexperienced teams may struggle to coordinate quickly.
  
• Some setups are risky and may not work if the bowler can’t match the plan.
  
• Over-attacking fields (e.g., too many slips) can leave gaps for easy singles.

Every captain balances these factors based on the situation, bowler type, and batter’s strengths.

Conclusion – Know the Field, Play Smarter

Understanding cricket fielding positions isn’t just for professionals. Whether you’re playing gully cricket, coaching juniors, or just watching IPL with friends, knowing where each player stands helps you follow the game with more confidence and enjoyment.

You now know the fielding positions in cricket, how they work, why they’re used, and what they’re called. The next time someone yells “Go to deep midwicket!”—you’ll know exactly where to go.

📢 Got questions or something to add? Drop a comment below, share this with a teammate, or save it for your next match. Cricket just got a whole lot easier.

FAQs – Simple Answers for Beginners

Q: What are the fielding positions in cricket?

A: They are specific spots on the field where players stand to stop runs or take catches.

Q: What are the six fielding positions on the off side of the field in cricket?

A: Point, Cover, Extra Cover, Mid-off, Third Man, and Slip.

Q: How many different positions are there in cricket?

A: Over 50 positions, including standard and tactical ones.

Q: What are the 9 fielding positions?

A: Common ones include: Slip, Gully, Point, Cover, Mid-off, Mid-on, Square Leg, Fine Leg, and Wicketkeeper.

Q: Why is it called cow corner?

A: It’s a deep leg-side area where big, wild swings usually go—named from village games played near cow fields.

Q: Who played all 11 positions in cricket?

A: Wilfred Rhodes (England) is known to have done this during his career.

Q: What is illegal fielding in cricket?

A: Fielding that breaks rules—like having more than 2 fielders behind square on the leg side or using gear to stop the ball.

Q: How to do fielding in cricket?

A: Stay alert, react fast, use good catching and throwing skills, and know your spot on the field.

Q: What is the danger area in cricket?

A: It’s the central strip near the pitch that fielders must avoid to protect the playing surface.

Q: How to remember cricket positions?

A: Use simple field diagrams, think of clock directions, and practice watching real matches.

Q: What is 2 in cricket?

A: It means the batters completed two runs between the wickets.

Q: Can a fielder sit while fielding?

A: No, they must remain ready—sitting or lying down is not allowed during play.

Q: What is the most important fielding position in cricket?

A: The wicketkeeper—positioned behind the stumps and involved in nearly every delivery.

Q: What is 45 fielding position in cricket?

A: A spot on the leg side at 45 degrees behind the batter—used to stop fine deflections or glances.

Q: Where is Silly Point in cricket?

A: Very close to the batter on the off side, next to the pitch—used for close catch chances.

Q:  Can a team change fielders during the over?

A: Yes, but once the bowler starts running in, fielders can’t change position (except in the case of injury).