Understanding Cricketing Fielding Positions: A Complete Guide for Every Fan

Cricket is not just about batting and bowling it’s also about smart field placement. Every fielder on the ground plays a special role, and their position can decide whether a team wins or loses. To understand cricket deeply, you need to know the names, purposes, and strategies behind these cricketing fielding positions.

In this article, we’ll break down all major fielding positions in cricket from slips to silly point and explain how each one helps control the game.

The Basics of Fielding in Cricket

Before learning the positions, it’s important to understand how a cricket field is divided. The field is roughly circular, with the pitch in the center. The two main halves are:

• Off Side: The side of the field in front of the batsman when facing the bowler’s delivery arm.
  
• Leg Side (or On Side): The opposite side, behind the batsman.
  

Fielders are placed around these areas depending on the type of bowler (fast or spin), the match situation, and the batsman’s strengths.

Close Catching Positions

Close catching positions are the most dangerous yet exciting ones. Fielders here stand very close to the batsman to grab quick catches.

1. Slip

The slip fielders stand behind the batsman and next to the wicketkeeper, ready to catch edges from fast bowlers. There can be multiple slips 1st slip, 2nd slip, 3rd slip, etc.

2. Gully

Located beside the slips but a bit wider, the gully fields square edges from fast bowlers.

3. Silly Point

This is one of the closest positions to the batsman, right next to the off stump. It’s mostly used against spin bowlers to catch bat-pad deflections.

4. Short Leg

Similar to silly point but on the leg side. The fielder wears a helmet and pads because the ball comes fast from the bat.

5. Leg Slip

This position mirrors the regular slip but on the leg side. It’s used when the bowler targets the batsman’s pads or leg stump.

Infield Positions

Infield positions are for stopping singles, creating pressure, and catching mis-hits.

6. Point

Placed square on the off side, this fielder cuts off square drives and back-foot shots. A strong arm is needed here.

7. Cover

Between point and mid-off, the cover fielder stops drives and ground shots. It’s one of the most elegant fielding positions.

8. Mid-Off

This fielder stands near the bowler, on the off side, guarding straight drives and quick singles.

9. Mid-On

On the leg side, opposite to mid-off. The mid-on fielder also protects straight drives and helps back up throws.

10. Mid-Wicket

Placed between square leg and mid-on, the mid-wicket fielder is crucial for stopping flicks and on-drives.

11. Square Leg

Located directly square on the leg side, this fielder catches or stops flick shots and pulls.

12. Short Mid-Wicket

Closer than regular mid-wicket, used for catching aerial flicks or mis-hits.

13. Short Cover

Similar to cover but closer to the batsman. Used in Test matches to put pressure on the batsman.

Outfield Positions

Outfielders patrol the boundary and prevent fours or sixes. Their strong throwing arms are crucial for long-distance returns.

14. Long-Off

Far down the ground on the off side, directly in front of the batsman. This fielder stops big lofted drives.

15. Long-On

The opposite of long-off, positioned on the leg side. Handles lofted on-drives and shots over mid-on.

16. Deep Mid-Wicket

A favorite position in limited-overs cricket, where power hitters target sixes.

17. Deep Square Leg

Protects the leg-side boundary from pulls and hooks.

18. Fine Leg

Located behind the batsman on the leg side, often close to the boundary. Handles glances and edges.

19. Third Man

On the off side, behind the wicketkeeper. This fielder catches edges that fly past the slips.

20. Deep Cover

On the off side, near the boundary between point and extra cover. Stops lofted drives and cuts.

21. Deep Extra Cover

A variation of deep cover but placed slightly straighter, guarding powerful drives.

Specialized and Situational Positions

Sometimes, captains create custom or rare positions depending on the situation.

22. Sweeper Cover

Common in one-day and T20 cricket. The fielder moves across the boundary from deep cover to deep extra cover, sweeping up loose balls.

23. Cow Corner

A fun, informal name for the area between long-on and deep mid-wicket where many big-hitting batsmen aim.

24. Fly Slip

Used occasionally in T20s and Tests, positioned between gully and third man. Helps catch thick edges.

25. Backward Point

Just behind square on the off side. It’s ideal for catching late cuts and stopping fast back-foot shots.

26. Leg Gully

Between short leg and square leg on the leg side. Perfect for fast bowlers targeting leg stump lines.

Why Field Placement Matters

Field placement is a mind game. Captains adjust fielders based on the batsman’s technique, score situation, and pitch condition.

• In Test matches, captains prefer attacking fields close-in catchers and multiple slips.
  
• In ODIs and T20s, defensive and boundary-saving positions dominate.
  

A good captain reads the batsman’s intent and moves the fielders accordingly. That’s what separates great cricket minds from average ones.

Famous Captains Known for Smart Fielding Strategies

1. MS Dhoni – Master of surprise field changes in T20s.
   
2. Ricky Ponting – Aggressive fields early in innings.
   
3. Kane Williamson – Balanced, tactical placements.
   
4. Ben Stokes – Uses creative fields to pressure tailenders.
   
5. Eoin Morgan – Revolutionized white-ball field setups.
   

These captains proved that fielding positions can win matches, not just batting brilliance.

Evolution of Fielding Positions in Modern Cricket

Fielding in cricket has evolved drastically over the years. In older times, boundaries were longer, so outfielders stayed deeper. Now, shorter grounds and power hitters have forced captains to adapt creating flexible positions like floating sweepers and ring fielders.

Modern players like Ravindra Jadeja, Glenn Maxwell, and David Warner have raised the standard of athleticism. Their ability to save boundaries, throw directly at stumps, and take flying catches has changed the meaning of fielding altogether.

Tips for Young Players

If you’re learning cricket, understanding fielding positions helps improve your awareness and teamwork. Here’s how to get better:

• Study how captains move fielders based on bowler and batsman.
  
• Practice throws from different angles.
  
• Watch professional matches and learn their positioning logic.
  
• Communicate with teammates good fielding depends on coordination.
  

Remember: every fielder matters. Even saving one run can win the game.

Key Takeaways

• Cricketing fielding positions are divided into close, infield, and outfield zones.
  
• Each position has a purpose catching, saving runs, or pressuring batsmen.
  
• Captains use smart field placement as a tactical weapon.
  
• Modern cricket demands agility, awareness, and teamwork from every fielder.

Final Thoughts

Fielding is the silent strength of cricket. While batting gets applause and bowling takes headlines, a great catch or a boundary save can change everything. Knowing every cricketing fielding position helps fans appreciate the strategy behind every move and shows how deeply this game is built on skill, planning, and teamwork.