#3 Third Man
This fielding position is often substituted by the Slips and is located on the offside field. It is not used in all cricket matches. For example, in test matches, the Third man is very suitable to engage in the game, while in longer formats or limited-overs matches, the Slips are more preferred.
#4 Gully
The next close fielding position to the Slips is Gully. It takes the same diagonal stand and appears not always in the game. The Gully position if preferred in cases when:
- a batsman was caught in the Gully region several times during his performing history in cricket;
- playing on the “slow pitch”;
- the ball is swinging around at the beginning of the match;
- a new batman takes his turn when the wicket has been taken;
- the captain predicts the ball’s direction to the Gully rather than the Slips!
The listed occasions when the Gully is performed underlines the good shape and abilities the fielders in this position need to have. They are practically the same as the Slips fielder should possess.
#5 Point
The Point position is on the inner circle of the offside field. The Point fielder keeps a certain distance from the batsman, and it can differ from the type of the bowler’s performance. Whatever strength the bowler can produce, one key person takes decisions about the Point fielder’s stand towards the batsman. And it is the captain.
As many bowlers pretend to bowl the off stump of the batsman, the latter often acts attacking. Thus, the ball can be hit towards the Point direction. Keeping in mind this possible strategy, the captain would rather put an athletic fielder to cope with this responsibility at Point. That’s because he will need to cover a lot of ground in both directions when catching the ball and blocking its throw across his position.
#6 Cover
The Cover position is found between the point and the extra cover on the same inner circle. Its importance is also known for the Cover fielder’s run-outs and abilities to stop the boundary by diving around.
Some captains of cricket teams don’t prefer this Cover position. Its presence in the field is like to limit the batsman’s action to drive the game. Sometimes it is for the team’s good, but sometimes it doesn’t work for it. When opting for the Cover position, the captain believes that the bowler will beat the batsman and direct the ball towards the Slips or wicket-keeper place.
#7 Mid Off
In cases when the ball is thrown towards the Long off zone, the Mid-off fielder is to stop it. The cricket game story shows that many shots touch this boundary. Because of this, the captain should be confident in the player he puts at Mid off, who can cover any shot as quickly as possible and strong enough for diving around.
Another reason for the captain to place himself at Mid off is explained by the opportunity to keep in eye contact with each fielder and the bowler and the ability to coordinate their positions in the field.
#8 Long Off
The Long off zone is famous for being shot by batsmen. It is located in the Outfield circle. If the bowler does the best bowling the ball, then the ball is guaranteed to end up in the Long off. It is regarded as an area where the batsman will play an aerial shot against the spin bowler. Compared to the roles of other boundary fielders, the Long off fielder is to catch every shot that comes this way.
#9 Long On
The long on position is the final cricket position on the batsman’s (leg) side of the field. It is considered a strong position in the field. Fielders are selected as a run-saving option or a constraining factor for batsmen who are eager to hit sixes straight down the ground. Accordingly, the Long on fielder needs to be in good shape to cut off any shots and cover much ground.
#10 Mid-On
Typically, Mid-on is regarded as the same position as Mid-off but located on its opposite side on the leg (on) side. Thus, the roles are the same: to stop any shot touching this boundary and cover the gap between themselves and mid-wicket. Also, captains often pretend to field themselves on Mid-off as a nice position for team coordination.
#11 Mid-Wicket
A very athletic player with the speed ability to cut off the boundary shots is required for this position. The Mid-wicket is well-known for being often and powerfully shot by batsmen. Thus, it is preferable to be filled with a strong and well-concentrated fielder.
#12 Square Leg
If it is difficult to find this position on the field when watching the cricket match, it is recommended to look at the referee’s place. He practically always stands on the Square leg zone. Once the player is defined to locate this position, he will face many task to be ready to complete:
- stop the single when the batsman is willing to knock the ball;
- be ready to dive around when the batsman plays the hook;
- quickly react and allow bowlers to sweep to the spinner!
The Square leg is the place of responsible and hard-working actions. That’s why the captain should keep in mind this option and choose a worthy fielder to complete this role.
#13 Fine Leg
The Fine leg location is to cease two actions when the batsman plays the sweep shot to a spinner and when he hits the ball off behind the square on the leg side while a fast bowler is bowling. Thus, this fielding position requires a cricket player with a quick reaction, the ability to quickly gather balls and throw them back to wicket-keepers, be fit to conquer a lot of runs.
To sum up, each fielding position is responsible during the game and can be changed by the captain if he feels a necessity in it. The unexpectedness of cricket brings even more excitement to fans and followers and reveals the strong school of training of cricket players in the field.
Sports is an exciting aspect in human life that brings health and good shape as well as lifts the spirits and even becomes a way to earn extra money. It has become more popular in recent decades as high-tech allows to enjoy it online too. Cricket is one of the most globally recognized kinds of sports and the most-watched and followed sports game. The number of cricket fans can be equated almost to the number of football fans. Cricket is a religion in India that entices thousands of new followers each year.
Whatever format is used in the cricket match, it is always attractive because of unexpected and spectacular performances of cricket players. They are key elements in the game. Without them, cricket wouldn’t be so fascinating and engaging. Each role the player performs affects how the cricket match will end up. The game rules seem to be quite simple, but the cricketers’ positions are significant and responsible. When watching the cricket match, whether live or online, one should be aware of how things can turn around because of players’ actions in a particular fielding position. These and more about the names of cricket fielding positions here.
Cricket Fielding Positions Chart
The main roles involved in the cricket game are a batsman, a bowler, a wicket-keeper, and a captain of the team. Each of them has a range of responsibilities to fulfill in the game. The batsman needs to score the runs when his turn comes to bat. The bowler performs simple actions: bowl the ball so the batsman will hit it and score his runs. The wicket-keeper is a figure who stands behind the batsman and catches and returns the ball whenever the batsman misses the ball. Finally, the captain is the team leader who makes decisions on players’ positioning and appropriate tactics to use. The outcome of the game depends truly on a solid team of multiple roles. Thus, it is essential to keep a good balance of roles in defining the cricket fielding positions.
The cricket field is built in such a way that it is divided into two parts. The location of each part depends on the way the batsman hits the ball, whether he is left-handed or right-handed. Due to this, other cricket positions on the field are determined in accordance with the batsman. The chart displayed below represents the cricket field for the right-handed batsman. The right side of it is called the Leg (on) side. The left side is the Offside field. In cases when the left-handed batsman performs, the cricket positions on each field side are the same but placed in the opposite.
Before diving into the explanation of each fielding position, it is important to classify them into three major parts.
Close catching
This fielding circle involves players located close to the batsman and are initially in place to take catches. Usually, they are at a distance of 15 yards away from the batsman. This fielding circle includes Slips, Silly Point, Leg-slip, and Short-leg. When the batsman plays away from the body, he can be caught in Slips. When he is trying to defend, he can be declined at Silly point and Short-leg.
Inner circle
The inner circle is a platform of 30-yard. Fielders within this part of fielding play such roles:
- don’t allow the ball to pass through them and try to save runs;
- catch the ball that comes their way!
The fielder in this position should have quick reflexes because the batsman can perform aggressively when batting the ball. In addition, he should react immediately as the time is limited. This fielding circle contains Gully, Leg Gully, Point, Square Leg, Cover, Mid-wicket, Mid-off, and Mid-on.
Outfield
An outfield circle is for fielders who are boundary protectors. They also need to have safe hands as they receive catches when they come their way when the batsman hits over the top. Long-on and Long-off positions represent the outfield area.
All Fielding Positions Names and Explanation in Cricket
Many factors impact the success of the cricket team: catching ability, speed in runs, strength, quick reaction, etc. According to each player’s ability within the team, they are directed to appropriate cricket positions by the guidance of the captain. Each position defines its responsibility and functions.
#1 Wicket-Keeper
It is one of the most responsible fielding positions. The wicket-keeper takes place behind the batsman, and he catches the ball when the batsman misses or leaves it. The distance between the batman and wicket-keeper differs and depends on the bowler’s speed of throwing the ball. If a professional bowler participates, the wicket-keeper takes his position about 20 meters away from the batsman. If it is a spinner, then the distance kept is shorter and closer to the stumps. Therefore, the type of bowler engaged in the game defined the distance between the wicket-keeper and the batsman.
Mainly for the position of the wicket-keeper, the player is chosen for being athletic, having a high level of agility, and eye-hand coordination. Keeping in mind that bowlers can make wrong bowling, wicket-keepers need to dive around in order to catch the ball. Also, they are responsible for catching incoming throwings from other fielders. The wicket-keeper usually wears a helmet when he stands very close to the stumps to protect himself. In other cases, he is not obliged to put it on when taking his position in cricket.
#2 Slips
Next to the wicket-keeper is the fielding position Slips. Fielders in slips involve catching the ball the batsman kick between them. The players in this cricket position need to have a good long-term concentration and be ready to receive the ball from any direction it comes. Slips involve four positions: the first, second, third, and fourth slip.
The number of slip fielders is determined by the captain, respectively. It may also depend on the bowler’s performance. If he provides a swinging ball, it is possible to see three slip positions next to the wicket-keeper. Otherwise, the captain can take the slip fielders away and put them in another important position. When the spinner bowls, more than one split fielder is required in the field.