Cricket fielding positions
Every named position on one diagram. Filter by distance from the bat and read what each fielder is there to do.
The field, from above
The diagram shows a right-handed batter with the bowler at the top. Select a group to highlight it and filter the list. Positions are schematic and change with every captain's plan.
- Close catchingWicketkeeperStands behind the stumps and takes the ball the batter misses.
- Close catchingFirst slipNext to the keeper on the off side, ready for edges.
- Close catchingSecond slipWider than first slip, covering edges that carry further.
- Close catchingGullyWider again, for edges hit square of the slips.
- Close catchingSilly pointVery close on the off side, in front of the bat.
- Close catchingShort legVery close on the leg side, for catches off the bat and pad.
- In-fieldPointSquare on the off side, covering shots cut or steered away.
- In-fieldCoverIn front of square on the off side, for the cover drive.
- In-fieldExtra coverBetween cover and mid-off.
- In-fieldMid-offStraight-ish on the off side, near the bowler.
- In-fieldMid-onThe leg-side counterpart of mid-off.
- In-fieldMidwicketIn front of square on the leg side.
- In-fieldSquare legSquare on the leg side, for shots played off the pads.
- BoundaryThird manOn the boundary behind square on the off side.
- BoundaryFine legOn the boundary behind square on the leg side.
- BoundaryLong-offOn the boundary, straight down the ground on the off side.
- BoundaryLong-onOn the boundary, straight down the ground on the leg side.
- BoundaryDeep coverOn the boundary on the off side in front of square.
- BoundaryDeep pointOn the boundary square on the off side.
- BoundaryDeep midwicketOn the boundary on the leg side in front of square.
- BoundaryDeep square legOn the boundary square on the leg side.
Off side and leg side
For a right-handed batter, the off side is the right half of the field as they face the bowler, and the leg side is the left. For a left-handed batter the two sides swap, so captains flip the whole field.
Why captains move fielders
- Attack. Close catchers and slips go up when the captain wants wickets.
- Defence. Fielders drop back to the boundary when the batter is hitting big shots.
- The bowler's plan. A bowler aiming outside off stump wants the off side covered, while one bowling at the pads wants more on the leg side.
Rules that shape the field
Under the Laws, no more than two fielders, other than the wicketkeeper, may be behind square on the leg side when the ball is bowled. In limited-overs cricket the playing conditions also limit how many fielders may be outside the 30-yard circle in each phase of the innings. See the nine ways to get out for how catches and run outs are given.
Common questions
How many fielders are there in cricket?
Eleven, including the bowler and the wicketkeeper. The positions change from ball to ball depending on the batter and the match situation.
What is the difference between off side and leg side?
For a right-handed batter the off side is the right side of the field as they face the bowler, and the leg side is the left. It is the other way round for a left-hander.
What is the 30-yard circle?
A marked circle around the pitch. In limited-overs cricket the playing conditions limit how many fielders may be outside it in each phase of the innings.
Is there a limit on leg-side fielders?
Under the Laws, no more than two fielders, other than the wicketkeeper, may be behind square on the leg side at the moment the ball is bowled.