Cricket Fielding Positions: Complete Guide to Every Position on the Field

Fielding is one of the most important parts of cricket.

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A cricket team may have excellent batters and dangerous bowlers, but good fielding can completely change the outcome of a match.

A spectacular catch can dismiss a dangerous batter. A quick throw can produce a run-out. A fielder positioned correctly can stop boundaries and save valuable runs.

But for someone new to cricket, the field can look confusing.

What is a slip?

Where is gully?

What does point do?

Where is cover?

What is the difference between mid-off and mid-on?

And why do fielders keep changing positions?

This guide explains the major cricket fielding positions, their locations, responsibilities and how captains use them strategically.

Fielding positions are the different areas where players are positioned around the cricket field while the opposition is batting.

The Laws of Cricket also define important aspects of fielding, including the role of fielders, permitted movement and restrictions on fielding positions.

MCC — The Fielder (Law 28)

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What Are Fielding Positions in Cricket?

Fielding positions are the different areas where players are positioned around the cricket field while the opposition is batting.

The exact placement can change depending on:

• Bowler
• Batter
• Bowling type
• Match format
• Pitch
• Ball condition
• Score
• Required run rate
• Number of wickets remaining
• Match situation

There is no single fixed field that must be used throughout an innings.

The captain adjusts the field according to the tactical plan.

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How Many Fielders Are There in Cricket?

A fielding team normally has 11 players, including the bowler and wicketkeeper.

At any given time:

• One player is bowling.
• One player is wicketkeeping.
• The remaining nine players are positioned around the field.

The batting side has two batters at the crease.

This means the captain has nine outfield fielders to arrange around the batter, in addition to the wicketkeeper and bowler.

A fielding team normally has 11 players, including the bowler and wicketkeeper.

The MCC Laws define a fielder as one of the players representing the fielding side on the field, including the bowler and wicketkeeper.

MCC Laws — Fielders and Positioning

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Cricket Fielding Positions Diagram

The fielding positions can broadly be divided into areas:

Behind the Batter

• Wicketkeeper
• Slip
• Gully
• Fine leg
• Third man

Off Side

• Point
• Backward point
• Cover
• Extra cover
• Mid-off

Leg Side / On Side

• Square leg
• Backward square leg
• Mid-wicket
• Forward square leg
• Mid-on
• Fine leg

Boundary Positions

• Third man
• Deep point
• Deep cover
• Long-off
• Long-on
• Deep mid-wicket
• Deep square leg
• Fine leg

The exact field can contain many variations.

The ICC also provides educational material explaining cricket fielding and the different positions used around the field.

ICC — Fielding Guide

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1. Wicketkeeper

The wicketkeeper stands directly behind the striker’s wicket.

The wicketkeeper is one of the most important fielders because almost every delivery passes through or near this position.

The wicketkeeper’s responsibilities include:

• Catching edges
• Stopping balls behind the stumps
• Taking stumpings
• Receiving throws
• Supporting run-out attempts
• Communicating with the bowler and captain

The wicketkeeper often provides information to the bowler about:

• Line
• Length
• Bounce
• Batter movement

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2. Slip

Slip fielders stand behind and to the side of the wicketkeeper.

They are primarily positioned to catch edges from the bat.

The position is particularly important against:

• Fast bowling
• Swing bowling
• Seam bowling

A traditional slip cordon can include:

• First slip
• Second slip
• Third slip
• Fourth slip

The number depends on the captain’s strategy.

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First Slip

First slip is generally the slip position closest to the wicketkeeper.

The fielder needs:

• Excellent reflexes
• Soft hands
• Concentration
• Strong catching technique

Edges can travel extremely quickly toward slip.

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Second Slip and Third Slip

Additional slips are positioned progressively farther from the wicketkeeper.

A captain may use multiple slips when:

• The ball is moving
• The batter is new
• Conditions favor seam or swing
• The bowler is attacking

As the batter settles, the captain may remove some slips and move fielders elsewhere.

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3. Gully

Gully is positioned wider than the slips, generally between the slip cordon and point.

It is especially useful against:

• Outside-off deliveries
• Cut shots
• Edges
• Back-foot strokes

Gully fielders need quick reactions because the ball can travel rapidly through the area.

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4. Point

Point is positioned on the off side, approximately square to the batter.

The position is particularly useful against:

• Square cuts
• Back-foot shots
• Singles
• Edges traveling away from the slips

A strong point fielder can save many runs.

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5. Backward Point

Backward point is positioned slightly behind square on the off side.

It can be used to stop:

• Cut shots
• Late cuts
• Backward defensive strokes

The exact depth can vary from close to the batter to near the boundary.

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6. Cover Point

Cover point is positioned on the off side between point and cover.

It is commonly used to stop shots played through the cover region.

The fielder may need to:

• Stop drives
• Save singles
• Chase boundaries
• Throw quickly toward the wicket

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7. Cover

Cover is generally positioned between point and extra cover.

It is one of the most recognizable fielding positions in cricket.

A cover fielder attempts to stop:

• Cover drives
• Square drives
• Singles
• Boundaries

A captain may place a close cover fielder when attacking, or a deep cover fielder when protecting boundaries.

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8. Extra Cover

Extra cover is positioned wider or farther toward the bowler’s side compared with conventional cover.

It can be used to stop:

• Drives
• Lofted shots
• Runs through the off side

The position becomes particularly important when a batter likes hitting through the cover region.

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9. Mid-Off

Mid-off is positioned on the off side, generally closer to the bowler.

The fielder can stop:

• Straight drives
• Drives toward the bowler
• Singles

A close mid-off can also create pressure on a batter.

A deep mid-off is commonly used when the captain wants protection against lofted shots.

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10. Long-Off

Long-off is positioned near the boundary behind or beyond mid-off.

This position is particularly important in limited-overs cricket.

The fielder is usually there to stop:

• Lofted drives
• Straight hits
• Big shots toward the off side

A strong boundary fielder at long-off can save six runs by converting a boundary into two or three runs—or sometimes stopping it completely.

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11. Mid-On

Mid-on is the leg-side equivalent of mid-off.

It is generally positioned between the bowler and square leg on the batter’s leg side.

The fielder can stop:

• Straight drives
• On drives
• Singles

A close mid-on can also put pressure on the batter.

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12. Long-On

Long-on is the deep boundary position behind mid-on.

It is commonly used to protect against:

• Lofted drives
• Straight hits
• Leg-side power hitting

In T20 cricket, long-on is often one of the most important boundary positions.

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13. Mid-Wicket

Mid-wicket is positioned on the leg side between square leg and mid-on.

It is a major position against:

• Flicks
• Pulls
• Leg-side drives
• Pick-up shots

A batter who likes hitting through mid-wicket may force the captain to place a strong fielder in this region.

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14. Deep Mid-Wicket

Deep mid-wicket is positioned near the boundary.

It is especially important in limited-overs cricket because many batters target this region for sixes.

The fielder needs:

• Good catching ability
• Speed
• Accurate throwing
• Boundary awareness

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15. Square Leg

Square leg is positioned on the leg side approximately square to the batter.

It can be used against:

• Pull shots
• Sweeps
• Flicks
• Leg-side singles

Square leg can be positioned close, backward or near the boundary depending on the bowling plan.

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16. Backward Square Leg

Backward square leg is positioned behind square on the leg side.

It can be particularly useful against:

• Pull shots
• Sweeps
• Glances
• Short-pitched bowling

A deep backward square-leg fielder is common in limited-overs cricket.

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17. Fine Leg

Fine leg is positioned behind the batter on the leg side, toward the boundary.

It can stop:

• Leg glances
• Deflections
• Flicks
• Balls running behind square

Fine leg is particularly important when the bowler is attacking the batter’s pads.

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18. Third Man

Third man is positioned behind the wicketkeeper on the off side, generally toward the boundary.

The fielder can stop:

• Edges
• Late cuts
• Deflections
• Balls running behind point

Third man is one of the most common boundary positions in limited-overs cricket.

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19. Fly Slip

Fly slip is positioned farther away from the wicketkeeper than a conventional slip.

It can be useful when the captain expects:

• Thick edges
• Lofted edges
• Deflections

The position is sometimes used when the ball is likely to travel over the conventional slip area.

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20. Short Leg

Short leg is positioned very close to the batter on the leg side.

It is an attacking position frequently associated with spin bowling and close catching.

The fielder needs excellent protective equipment and exceptional reflexes.

The objective is to catch:

• Bat-pad chances
• Defensive miscues
• Short catches

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21. Leg Slip

Leg slip is positioned behind the batter on the leg side, somewhat analogous to a slip but on the opposite side.

It can be used to catch:

• Glances
• Flicks
• Deflections

It is a specialized attacking position.

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22. Silly Point

Silly point is positioned extremely close to the batter on the off side.

It is primarily an attacking position.

The fielder may be looking for:

• Bat-pad catches
• Defensive mistakes
• Inside edges
• Misjudged strokes

Because the fielder is very close to the batter, protective equipment and correct technique are extremely important.

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23. Silly Mid-Off

Silly mid-off is positioned very close to the batter on the off side, roughly in front of the wicket.

It can be used particularly against spin bowling.

The objective is to create catching opportunities from defensive shots.

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24. Short Mid-Wicket

Short mid-wicket is positioned close to the batter on the leg side.

It can be particularly useful against:

• Flicks
• Mis-timed drives
• Bat-pad chances

It is another attacking position frequently used against spin.

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25. Deep Square Leg

Deep square leg is positioned near the boundary behind square on the leg side.

It is particularly important against:

• Pull shots
• Sweeps
• Leg-side power hitting

In T20 cricket, this is often one of the most heavily targeted boundary areas.

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26. Deep Fine Leg

Deep fine leg is positioned near the boundary behind square toward the fine-leg region.

It can protect against:

• Glances
• Fine deflections
• Flicks
• Short balls directed down the leg side

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27. Deep Third

Deep third is another way of describing a deep third-man position.

It is used to protect the boundary behind point on the off side.

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Close Catching Positions

Some fielding positions are designed specifically for wicket-taking rather than boundary prevention.

These include:

• Slip
• Gully
• Short leg
• Leg slip
• Silly point
• Silly mid-off
• Short mid-wicket

These positions are particularly common in Test cricket and against spin bowling.

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Boundary Fielders

Boundary fielders are positioned near the edge of the playing area.

Common positions include:

• Deep third
• Deep point
• Deep cover
• Long-off
• Long-on
• Deep mid-wicket
• Deep square leg
• Fine leg

Their primary objective is to prevent fours and sixes.

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Attacking Field vs Defensive Field

One of the most important concepts in cricket strategy is the difference between an attacking and defensive field.

Attacking Field

An attacking field places more players in catching positions.

Examples:

• Multiple slips
• Gully
• Short leg
• Silly point
• Close cover

The objective is:

Take a wicket.

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Defensive Field

A defensive field places more players in areas where boundaries are likely.

Examples:

• Deep square leg
• Deep mid-wicket
• Long-on
• Long-off
• Deep cover
• Third man
• Fine leg

The objective is:

Reduce the scoring rate.

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Fielding Positions Against Fast Bowling

Fast bowlers can use different field setups depending on:

• Swing
• Seam
• Bounce
• Pace
• Batter’s technique

A traditional attacking field may contain:

• Slip
• Second slip
• Gully
• Point
• Cover
• Mid-off
• Mid-on
• Square leg
• Fine leg

The exact arrangement depends on the bowler’s plan.

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Fielding Positions Against Spin Bowling

Spin bowling often allows captains to use close catchers.

Possible positions include:

• Slip
• Short leg
• Leg slip
• Silly point
• Silly mid-off
• Short mid-wicket
• Cover
• Mid-off

Spin bowling can create bat-pad chances, edges and miscued defensive shots.

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Fielding for a New Batter

When a new batter arrives, captains often use more attacking positions.

Why?

Because a new batter may:

• Not yet be settled
• Be unfamiliar with the conditions
• Be vulnerable to movement
• Make an early mistake

The captain may therefore bring fielders closer to the bat.

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Fielding for a Set Batter

Once a batter has settled, the captain may change the field.

Possible changes include:

• Removing slips
• Moving fielders deeper
• Protecting scoring areas
• Changing the bowling angle
• Creating a new dismissal plan

A set batter often needs a different tactical approach from a new batter.

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Fielding in Test Cricket

Test cricket provides the greatest scope for specialized attacking fields.

Captains can use:

• Multiple slips
• Short leg
• Leg slip
• Silly point
• Short mid-wicket
• Close catchers

The objective is often to create sustained pressure and eventually force a mistake.

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Fielding in ODI Cricket

ODI fielding is strongly influenced by:

• Powerplay restrictions
• Middle overs
• Death overs
• Required run rate
• Wickets remaining

The field changes substantially throughout the innings.

Fielding restrictions can vary according to the format and competition, so readers should refer to the applicable ICC playing conditions for the current rules.

ICC — Playing Conditions

ICC की official playing-conditions page पर Test, ODI और T20I के current playing-condition documents उपलब्ध हैं।

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Fielding in T20 Cricket

T20 cricket is particularly tactical.

Captains constantly adjust field positions based on:

• Batter’s preferred shots
• Bowler’s variations
• Match-up
• Required run rate
• Over number
• Boundary protection

A single fielding position can sometimes be decisive.

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Why Do Fielders Keep Changing Positions?

Fielders move because the captain is trying to respond to the batter and bowler.

However, fielders cannot move freely at every moment of a delivery. The Laws place restrictions on unfair movement by fielders before the ball reaches the striker.

MCC Law 28 — Fielder Movement

For example:

A batter repeatedly hits sixes toward deep mid-wicket.

The captain may move a fielder there.

The bowler may then change the line.

The batter may change the shot.

The captain responds again.

This creates a continuous tactical battle.

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What Is a Ring Field?

The term “ring” is commonly used for the group of fielders positioned relatively close to the batter in the inner field.

These players are primarily responsible for:

• Stopping singles
• Saving twos
• Creating pressure
• Cutting off common scoring areas

A strong ring field can make it difficult for a batter to rotate the strike.

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Why Is Point an Important Position?

Point is one of the most important positions because many batters use the cut shot.

A high-quality point fielder can:

• Save boundaries
• Stop singles
• Create run-out chances
• Catch edges

Point is particularly valuable against short bowling outside off stump.

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Why Is Mid-Wicket Important?

Mid-wicket is a major scoring region for many batters.

Flicks, pulls and leg-side drives frequently travel toward this area.

A captain may place a fielder at:

• Short mid-wicket
• Mid-wicket
• Deep mid-wicket

depending on the situation.

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Why Are Slips Used?

Slips are primarily used to catch edges.

When a bowler is moving the ball away from the batter, an outside edge can travel toward the slip cordon.

This is why slips are particularly common in:

• Test cricket
• New-ball bowling
• Swing-friendly conditions
• Seam-friendly conditions

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Fielding Positions and Bowling Plan

A field should support the bowler.

For example:

Plan

Bowling outside off stump.

Field

• Slip
• Gully
• Point
• Cover

Objective

Create an edge or restrict the off-side scoring area.

Another example:

Plan

Attack the stumps with spin.

Field

• Slip
• Short leg
• Silly point
• Short mid-wicket

Objective

Create catching opportunities from defensive mistakes.

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Cricket Fielding Positions Table

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How Beginners Can Learn Cricket Fielding Positions

If you’re new to cricket, do not try to memorize every position at once.

Start with these ten:

1. Wicketkeeper
2. Slip
3. Point
4. Cover
5. Mid-off
6. Mid-on
7. Mid-wicket
8. Square leg
9. Fine leg
10. Third man

Once these become familiar, learn:

• Gully
• Extra cover
• Long-off
• Long-on
• Deep mid-wicket
• Deep square leg
• Short leg
• Silly point
• Leg slip

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Tips for Improving Fielding

Good fielding requires more than knowing positions.

Players should practice:

Catching

High catches and low catches.

Ground Fielding

Stopping balls cleanly.

Throwing

Accurate throws to the wicketkeeper.

Agility

Quick movement in different directions.

Communication

Calling clearly to avoid collisions.

Awareness

Knowing where the batter and other fielders are.

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The Golden Rules of Cricket Fielding

1. Know your position.
2. Understand the bowler’s plan.
3. Watch the batter.
4. Stay alert every ball.
5. Attack the ball when appropriate.
6. Communicate with teammates.
7. Back up throws.
8. Save singles when the situation demands it.
9. Protect the boundary when required.
10. Always be ready for a catch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main Cricket fielding positions in cricket?

The major cricket fielding positions include wicketkeeper, slip, gully, point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket, square leg, fine leg and third man.

Where does the wicketkeeper stand?

The wicketkeeper stands behind the striker’s wicket.

What is a slip fielder?

A slip fielder stands behind and to the side of the wicketkeeper, mainly to catch edges.

Where is point in cricket?

Point is on the off side, approximately square to the batter.

Where is cover?

Cover is on the off side between point and extra cover.

What is mid-off?

Mid-off is generally positioned on the off side between the bowler and cover region.

What is mid-on?

Mid-on is the leg-side counterpart of mid-off.

What is mid-wicket?

Mid-wicket is positioned on the leg side between square leg and mid-on.

What is third man?

Third man is positioned behind the wicketkeeper on the off side, generally toward the boundary.

What is fine leg?

Fine leg is positioned behind the batter on the leg side.

What is gully?

Gully is positioned wider than the slips and between the slip cordon and point.

What is silly point?

Silly point is a very close catching position on the off side.

What is short leg?

Short leg is a close-catching position on the leg side, often used against spin.

Why do captains change fielding positions?

Captains change positions to respond to the bowler, batter, pitch, score and match situation.

What is an attacking field?

An attacking field contains more close-catching positions and is designed primarily to create wicket-taking opportunities.

What is a defensive field?

A defensive field places more players in scoring and boundary-saving positions to restrict runs.

Why are slips used against fast bowlers?

Slips provide catching opportunities when the ball moves away from the bat and produces an outside edge.

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Final Thoughts

Cricket Fielding positions are one of the tactical foundations of cricket.

Every position has a purpose.

A slip waits for an edge.

A point protects against the cut.

A cover protects the off-side driving area.

A mid-wicket protects the leg-side scoring zone.

A long-on and long-off protect against lofted shots.

The wicketkeeper controls the area directly behind the batter.

But the most important thing to understand is that fielding positions are not fixed forever.

The captain constantly moves fielders according to the:

Bowler + Batter + Pitch + Match Situation + Score + Format

That constant tactical adjustment is what makes cricket fielding so fascinating.

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