Cricket has 11 fielders, one pitch, and — depending on who you ask — somewhere between 30 and 40 named fielding positions. For anyone new to the sport, that's a lot to absorb. "Mid-on? Fine leg? Silly point?" It can sound like a foreign language. But here's the good news: once you understand the logic behind the names, the whole system clicks surprisingly fast.
Let's go through it properly.
The Two Sides of the Field: Off and On (Leg)
Before anything else, you need to know two key terms: off side and leg side (also called the on side).
These depend entirely on the batter's stance. For a right-handed batter:
- The off side is to their right (where they hold the bat face outward)
- The leg side is to their left (where their legs are positioned)
For a left-handed batter, it's reversed. This is why fielding positions shift depending on the batter's handedness — fielding plans are always batter-specific.
In Front and Behind the Wicket
Another axis to understand: positions are described as either in front of the wicket (toward the batting end, in the direction the batter hits) or behind the wicket (toward the wicketkeeper, behind the batter's stumps).
A slip fielder is behind the wicket. A cover fielder is in front. Simple enough.
The Key Fielding Positions Explained
| Position | Location | Common Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Slip (1st, 2nd, 3rd) | Behind wicket, off side | Catching edges off the bat |
| Gully | Behind wicket, wider off side | Catching thick outside edges |
| Point | Square off side, in front | Cutting shots, run-outs |
| Cover | Off side, 45° in front | Drives through the off side |
| Mid-off | Straight, off side near bowler | Driving shots, run-outs |
| Mid-on | Straight, leg side near bowler | On-drives, run-outs |
| Square Leg | Perpendicular, leg side | Pull shots, sweeps |
| Fine Leg | Behind wicket, leg side boundary | Edges, glances, pull shots |
| Third Man | Behind wicket, off side boundary | Outside edges, cuts |
| Long-on / Long-off | Boundary, leg/off side | Lofted drives, sixes |
| Midwicket | Leg side, roughly 45° | Flick shots, sweeps |
Breaking Down the Silly Positions
You've probably heard "silly mid-on" or "silly mid-off" and wondered — why silly? These positions are placed extremely close to the batter, almost within arm's reach. They're used primarily against spin bowlers to catch close-in bat-pad chances. Standing there genuinely is a little silly (and brave), hence the name. Fielders in these positions wear helmets and shin guards.
Similarly, "short" positions like short leg or short cover are just closer versions of the standard position — again, typically used against spin in helpful conditions.
The "Deep" and "Long" Variations
Most positions have a "deep" or "long" version that simply means the fielder is stationed near the boundary rather than in the inner ring. Deep midwicket, long on, deep square leg — same angles, just pushed back. These are used to prevent boundaries and take catches from big hits.
How Captains Use Fielding Positions
Here's where it gets genuinely interesting. Placing a field isn't random — it's a chess match. A captain sets a field based on the bowler's plan, the batter's weaknesses, match situation, and even the ground's dimensions.
A fast bowler attacking the corridor outside off stump typically wants two or three slips, a gully, and a cover point. A left-arm spinner bowling around the wicket to a right-hander might push men to the leg side — square leg, midwicket, and a short fine leg for the sweep.
Some captains are legendary for their field placements. Ricky Ponting was meticulous. Virat Kohli sets attacking fields even when under pressure — it's part of his personality on the pitch. MS Dhoni had an almost supernatural ability to anticipate where the ball would go before it was hit.
What About Fielding Restrictions?
During Powerplay overs (covered in detail in a separate article), captains can only place two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. This dramatically limits their field-setting options — no deep cover, no long-on, no third man — until the restriction lifts. Understanding this is key to appreciating why batters attack so hard in those phases.
A Quick Note for Beginners
Don't try to memorize all 30+ positions at once. Start with the core eight or nine — slip, gully, point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, square leg, fine leg, third man. Watch a few matches with commentary and you'll absorb the rest naturally. Cricket's fielding geography starts making intuitive sense once you've seen it in motion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many fielders can be on the leg side in cricket? A maximum of five fielders are allowed on the leg side at any time in professional cricket.
Q: What is the difference between point and cover in cricket? Point is squarer (more perpendicular) to the batter, while cover is more in front. Both are on the off side.
Q: What does "silly" mean in fielding positions like silly mid-on? It refers to positions placed dangerously close to the batter — typically used against spinners for close catches.
Q: Why does fine leg stand near the boundary? Fine leg stops glances, inside edges, and pull shots that are angled toward the leg-side boundary. They're a defensive position.
Q: Can a fielder stand anywhere on the field? Yes, with some restrictions — the leg-side limit of five, and fielding circle rules during Powerplay overs.
Q: What is a "cow corner" in cricket? Cow corner is a popular informal name for the region between deep midwicket and long-on — a spot where big left-handed (or reverse) slog shots often land. It's not an official position name but you'll hear it often in commentary.