Your simplified guide to the complex world of cricket fielding positions.
Getting to grips with fielding positions is important for cricket fans and players alike.
Understanding the terminology for field placings will make it much easier to understand when the commentators and pundits on Sky Sports or Test Match Special are debating strategy, tactics or, generally, what is going on!
Positions have developed over time, names and titles have changed and evolved and roles continue to be refined as this glorious game will never be truly perfected.
Navigating your way through the complex maze of positions and terminology can be daunting, but we’re on hand with a simplified guide to help you work it all out.
Even better news, we have a wonderful handwritten drawing of the field by cricket broadcaster Alison Mitchell to help you visualise the positions as we describe them.
RadioTimes.com brings you a rough guide to explain how cricket fielding positions work, including some of the key principles to remember while you watch The Ashes.
Read more: Best cricket players in the world 2023 | Best cricket players of all time | Highest wicket takers in Test cricket
Cricket fielding positions
!["Cricket]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/06/Cricket-fielding-positions-2-e8d3a79.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Cricket")
The basics
The majority of fielding positions are described using: A) the side of the pitch the fielder is standing in, B) the distance from the batter, and C) the angle of the fielder from the batter.
First up, the field is divided into two sides: leg side and off side. This is a foundational principle to build up from.
- Leg – the side of the field the batter’s legs are on. (This can also be referred to as the on side.)
- Off – the opposite side of the field to leg side.
Second, distances from the batter are generally described using five words: silly, short, mid, long and deep.
- Silly – very close, often requiring fielders to wear protective equipment
- Short – close, but further from the batter than silly
- Mid – roughly halfway between the wicket and the boundary
- Long/deep – close to the boundary rope, used interchangeably
Third, angles play a role in determining a player’s position.
- Square – an imaginary extension of the line along the crease (between 9 and 3 on the diagram)
- Backward – behind square and the batter
- Forward – in front of square and the batter
- Fine – behind square, closer to the wicket keeper (closer to the line between 12 and 6 on the diagram)
- Wide – behind square, further from the wicket keeper (closer to the line between 9 and 3 on the diagram)
There are 11 players on each team, with a bowler and wicketkeeper used in every single ball delivered during a match.
This leaves nine players to deploy among the positions listed below. Captains will choose where to place their fielders based on who the bowler is, how they will bowl and where they are most likely to catch the ball, or at least prevent runs and boundaries from being a scored.
Areas of the Field
While there are nuances, and captains will always try to experiment with their setups, cricket fielding positions can generally be broken into three categories:
- Close infield – Fielders here are considered to be in attacking positions with the aim of taking wickets. This includes the slip cordon (or slips), silly point, short leg and other close fielding positions where the fielders will be static as the bowler runs in. The aim of the close catchers is in the name. If a batter edges a ball (the ball flicks off the bat behind the batter), the row of slips are well positioned to catch the ball.
- Infield – In white-ball cricket, this is marked on the field as 30 yards from the pitch. The aim for these fielders is generally to prevent runs. Depending on the format and game situation, fielders in the inner ring will either be looking to prevent singles or stop the ball reaching the boundary. They may catch lower drives that failed to have enough power or height to run closer to the boundary.
- Outfield – These players are positioned right on the boundary rope. Mainly, they are trying to stop fours and sixes, but they can also be candidates for a catch if a shot is miscued or misjudged.
List of cricket fielding positions
- Wicketkeeper
- Slip
- Gully
- Silly point
- Point
- Deep point
- Backward point
- Deep backward point
- Short third
- Deep third
- Short leg
- Square leg
- Deep square leg
- Backward square leg
- Deep backward square leg
- Long leg
- Short fine leg
- Deep fine leg
- Cover
- Extra cover
- Deep extra cover
- Mid off
- Long off
- Mid on
- Long on
- Mid wicket
- Deep mid wicket
Of course, there are endless variations of the positions above, with wide, fine, forward and backward tweaks able to be made with regards to almost any of the positions above.
However, the above list and diagram should be able to give you a working knowledge of the principles behind cricket fielding positions so you can begin to decipher the code spoken by commentators.
How to watch The Ashes on TV and live stream
You can watch The Ashes live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event.
You can add the Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Football channels for just £18 per month combined or pick up the complete sports package for just £25 per month.
Sky Sports customers can live stream The Ashes via the Sky Go app on a variety of devices including most smartphones and tablets as part of their subscription.
You can also watch The Ashes via NOW without signing up to a contract.
NOW can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles. NOW is also available via BT Sport.
If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news.
Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.