Field positions in cricket are very important aspect of the game. Cricket is a game that is played with eleven players on each team. The fielders are strategically positioned on the field to prevent the batsmen from scoring runs or to catch the ball if the batsman hits it in their direction.
Slip
The slip fielder is positioned to the side of the wicketkeeper and behind the batsman on the offside. The primary role of the slip is to catch the ball if the batsman edges it. Slip positions are numbered from 1 to 4, depending on how many slips are in position.
Gully
The gully fielder is positioned on the offside, between the slips and point. The gully’s primary role is to catch the ball if it is hit directly off the bat, but not high enough to reach the slips.
Point
The point fielder is positioned on the offside, just behind the batsman’s back foot. The primary role of the point is to stop the ball if it is hit square of the wicket on the offside.
Cover
The cover fielder is positioned on the offside, between the point and mid-off. The primary role of the cover is to stop the ball if it is hit on the offside, but not as far as the boundary.
Mid-off
The mid-off fielder is positioned on the offside, between the bowler and the batsman. The primary role of the mid-off is to stop the ball if it is hit straight down the ground.
Mid-on
The mid-on fielder is positioned on the onside, between the bowler and the batsman. The primary role of the mid-on is to stop the ball if it is hit straight down the ground on the leg side.
Square leg
The square leg fielder is positioned on the onside, behind the batsman’s back foot. The primary role of the square leg is to stop the ball if it is hit square of the wicket on the leg side.
Mid-wicket
The mid-wicket fielder is positioned on the onside, between square leg and mid-on. The primary role of the mid-wicket is to stop the ball if it is hit on the leg side, but not as far as the boundary.
Long leg
The long leg fielder is positioned on the onside, towards the boundary. The primary role of the long leg is to stop the ball if it is hit to the boundary on the leg side.
Deep square leg
The deep square leg fielder is positioned on the onside, towards the boundary. The primary role of the deep square leg is to stop the ball if it is hit to the boundary on the leg side, deeper than the long leg.
Fine leg
The fine leg fielder is positioned on the onside, towards the boundary, behind the batsman. The primary role of the fine leg is to stop the ball if it is hit to the boundary on the leg side, but fine enough to be caught behind the wicketkeeper.
Third man
The third man fielder is positioned on the offside, towards the boundary, behind the batsman. The primary role of the third man is to stop the ball if it is hit to the boundary on the offside, but fine enough to be caught behind the wicketkeeper.
Backward point
The backward point fielder is positioned on the offside, towards the boundary, behind the batsman. The primary role of the backward point is to stop the ball if it is hit square of
Extra cover
The extra cover fielder is positioned on the offside, between cover and mid-off. The primary role of the extra cover is to stop the ball if it is hit on the offside, between cover and mid-off.
Silly point
The silly point fielder is positioned very close to the batsman, on the offside. The primary role of the silly point is to catch the ball if the batsman edges it off the bat, or to distract and intimidate the batsman.
Short leg
The short leg fielder is positioned very close to the batsman, on the onside. The primary role of the short leg is to catch the ball if the batsman edges it off the bat or to intimidate the batsman.
Deep mid-wicket
The deep mid-wicket fielder is positioned towards the boundary, on the onside. The primary role of the deep mid-wicket is to stop the ball if it is hit on the leg side, deeper than mid-wicket.
Long off
The long off fielder is positioned towards the boundary, on the offside. The primary role of the long off is to stop the ball if it is hit to the boundary on the offside.
Deep extra cover
The deep extra cover fielder is positioned towards the boundary, on the offside. The primary role of the deep extra cover is to stop the ball if it is hit on the offside, deeper than the extra cover.
Cow corner
Cow corner is a colloquial term used for the region between deep mid-wicket and long on. The fielder in this position is usually stationed to prevent the batsman from hitting the ball in this area and scoring runs.
Fine leg gully
The fine leg gully fielder is positioned on the onside, behind the batsman, and is generally stationed to prevent the batsman from scoring runs on the leg side.
Deep point
The deep point fielder is positioned towards the boundary, on the offside. The primary role of the deep point is to stop the ball if it is hit on the offside, deeper than the backward point.
Sweeper
The sweeper fielder is positioned towards the boundary, on either the offside or the leg side. The primary role of the sweeper is to stop the ball if it is hit to the boundary in their area.
Deep cover
The deep cover fielder is positioned towards the boundary, on the offside. The primary role of the deep cover is to stop the ball if it is hit on the offside, deeper than the extra cover.
Deep backward square leg
The deep backward square leg fielder is positioned towards the boundary, on the leg side. The primary role of the deep backward square leg is to stop the ball if it is hit on the leg side, deeper than the deep square leg.
The positioning of the fielders is a crucial aspect of the game of cricket. The placement of the fielders is determined by the type of bowler, the type of delivery, and the type of shot the batsman is likely to play. The fielding positions are numbered and named, and each position has a specific role to play in preventing the batsman from scoring runs or taking wickets.
