Fielding Positions in Cricket: A Clear Guide to Every Spot

Cricket fielding positions are described relative to the batter, not numbered. Each spot is named by which side of the field it sits on — the off side or the leg (on) side — and by how far it is from the striker. Captains arrange up to nine fielders, plus the bowler and wicketkeeper, around these named positions to attack the batter or save runs.

Off side vs leg side

The field is split into two halves by an imaginary line running down the pitch through the batter’s stance. The off side is the half the batter faces; the leg side (also called the on side) is the half behind their legs.

For a right-handed batter, the off side is to their right and the leg side to their left. For a left-handed batter the whole picture mirrors: the off side moves to their left and the leg side to their right. Because of this, captains and fielders shift positions whenever a left-hander and right-hander swap, even though the position names stay exactly the same.

Positions are also described as “square” (level with the batter), “fine” (close to the line of the stumps behind the batter), or “forward” (in front of the batter, toward the bowler).

Close catching positions

Close catchers stand within a few metres of the bat, looking for edges and bat-pad chances. These spots are most common when bowlers are attacking or the ball is turning or seaming.

• Wicketkeeper — crouches directly behind the stumps to take the ball and effect stumpings and run-outs.
• Slips (first, second, third, etc.) — stand beside the keeper on the off side to catch outside edges.
• Gully — positioned squarer than the slips on the off side, catching thick edges.
• Silly point — very close in front of the batter on the off side for bat-pad catches.
• Short leg (bat-pad) — the leg-side equivalent, crouched close on the on side.

Infield positions

The infield ring saves singles and stops drives and pushes. These fielders patrol the area roughly 15 to 30 metres from the bat.

• Point — square on the off side, guarding the cut shot.
• Cover — forward of point on the off side, covering driven shots.
• Mid-off — straight on the off side, near the bowler, for off-side drives.
• Mid-on — the straight leg-side counterpart to mid-off.
• Mid-wicket — between mid-on and square leg on the leg side.
• Square leg — square on the leg side, behind the umpire, for flicks and pulls.

Outfield / boundary positions

Boundary riders are deep fielders who protect the rope and prevent fours and sixes. They become more common in limited-overs cricket and against aggressive batting.

• Third man — deep behind the slips on the off side, stopping edges that beat the keeper.
• Long-off — deep and straight on the off side, behind mid-off.
• Long-on — deep and straight on the leg side, behind mid-on.
• Deep cover — the boundary version of cover.
• Deep mid-wicket — the boundary version of mid-wicket.
• Fine leg — deep behind square on the leg side, catching glances and hooks.

Position	Side	Typical role
Wicketkeeper	Behind stumps	Catches, stumpings, run-outs
Slip	Off	Catch outside edges
Gully	Off	Catch thick edges
Silly point	Off	Close bat-pad catches
Short leg	Leg	Close bat-pad catches
Point	Off	Stop the cut, save singles
Cover	Off	Stop drives, save singles
Mid-off	Off	Guard straight off-side drives
Mid-on	Leg	Guard straight leg-side drives
Mid-wicket	Leg	Stop flicks and clips
Square leg	Leg	Stop pulls and glances
Third man	Off	Stop edges past the keeper
Long-off	Off	Catch and stop lofted drives
Long-on	Leg	Catch and stop lofted drives
Fine leg	Leg	Stop glances and hooks

Quick summary: Cricket fielding positions are named, not numbered, and defined by their side (off or leg) and distance from the batter. They fall into three groups: close catchers (keeper, slips, gully, silly point, short leg), the infield ring (point, cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket, square leg), and boundary riders (third man, long-off, long-on, fine leg). All positions mirror when a left-hander faces the bowling.