GuideOct 26, 20264 min read
Cricket Fielding Positions Explained Simply
Fielding positions have odd names but follow a simple map. Picture the batter in the middle and the field spread around them like a clock.
Off side and leg side
The off side is the side the batter's bat faces when they take their stance. The leg side is the other side. For a right-handed batter, off is to their right.
Close catchers
Slips stand beside the wicketkeeper on the off side to catch edges. Gully is a wider catching position. Short leg and silly point stand very close for bat-pad catches, mostly in Tests.
Saving runs
Point, cover and mid-off guard the off side. Midwicket, square leg and mid-on guard the leg side. Long-on, long-off and deep midwicket patrol the boundary against sixes.
Behind the batter
Fine leg and third man protect the area behind the wicket on the leg and off side respectively.
Quick answers
What is the slip fielder for?
To catch edges off the bat that fly behind the batter.
How many fielders can stand on the leg side behind square?
No more than two, in every format.