Fielding is regarded as one of the most important aspects of cricket. As a result, it becomes equally important for a captain to place his players at the right fielding positions in the ground. However, as viewers, people often get confused with the fielding positions that are addressed in the game of cricket. At times, commentators address positions in the ground with some of the funniest names. However, such are the terms in cricket that they sound funny, especially the fielding positions in cricket.
Through this article, we attempt to simplify the names and meanings for the fielding positions in cricket. At first, let's have a look at the cricket fielding positions chart.
Cricket Fielding Positions Chart
The chart above is a representation of all the fielding positions that exist in cricket. It is clearly visible that the above positions are mentioned for a right-handed batsman. The left half of the diagram depicts the OFF side field while the right half shows the LEG (ON) side field. Similarly, the field placement is exactly the opposite of a left-hand batsman. We will further shed light on how fielding positions differ for a left-hand and a right-hand batsman.
All Fielding Positions Names and Explanation in Cricket
In Cricket, a total of 11 players of the fielding team are on the field at any moment in the game. Apart from the wicket-keeper and a bowler, there are 9 other fielding positions that are required to be occupied on the ground. Here, we take a look at all fielding positions names and explanation on the placement of each position:
1. Wicket-Keeper: This fielding position is present behind the stumps at the batting end of the pitch. There is only one wicket-keeper in the playing XI and is a crucial fielding position in cricket. A Wicket-keeper usually stands near the stumps for a spinner while taking a few steps backward for a pace bowler.
2. Slips: A Slip is a fielding position next to the wicket-keeper. This position is usually a catching position to pounce on any edge induced by the bowler. There are a number of slips such as First Slip, Second Slip, Third Slip, or even a Fourth Slip. A slip can also be a Leg Slip present on the other side of the wicket-keeper.
3. Third Man: The fielding position of Third Man in a cricket field can be found behind the slips near the boundary ropes on the off-side.
4. Gully: A gully fielder is present on the right of the slips on the off-side. This fielder is inside the 30-yard circle.
5. Point: A point is a catching position which is present on the right of the gully fielder. Point is always acquired by the best fielder in the team given how quick the balls travel at this fielding position.
6. Cover: Cover is one of the most important fielding positions in cricket. This is an attacking field position present to the right of the point fielder.
7. Mid Off: This position is present to the right of the cover fielder. This fielding position a lot straighter on the off-side inside the 30-yard circle.
8. Long Off: The fielder at long-off is present near the boundary ropes behind the mid-off fielding position. On a given moment, usually, either a fielder is present at mid-off or at the long-off position.
9. Long On: The Long-on fielding position is exactly similar to the long-off position with the difference that it is present on the leg side in the field.
10. Mid-On: The mid-on fielding position is exactly similar to the mid-off position with the difference that it is present on the leg-side in the field.
11. Mid-Wicket: The mid-wicket position is regarded as one of the important fielding positions in cricket. This position is present nearly at an angle of 135 degrees from the batting crease. It can be a catching fielding position aiming to prevent the batsman from a major hoick on the leg-side.
12. Square Leg: The square-leg position in the field is present almost at an angle of 180 degrees from the batsman. This is a leg-side position with a player patrolling the fence.
13. Fine Leg: A fielder at fine leg in present behind the batsman on the leg-side in the field. This fielder is mainly to prevent the inside edges that ricochet to the boundary on many occasions.
