Est. for the curious
The Cricket Daily

A map of the ground

The Field

Cricket's fielding positions have wonderful, baffling names — gully, silly point, fine leg, cow corner. They all make sense once you see them on a map. Here is the standard set for a right-handed batter.

LEG SIDEOFF SIDEBowlerBatterKeeperSlipsGullyPointCoverMid-offLong-offThird manLeg slipShort legSquare legMid-wicketMid-onLong-onFine leg

Off side & leg side

The pitch splits the ground in two. The side the batter faces is the off side; the side behind their legs is the leg (or on) side. Swap them for a left-hander.

In front & behind

Positions square of or behind the batter (slips, gully, point, fine leg) catch edges and cut off the cut and pull. Those in front (cover, mid-off, mid-on, mid-wicket) stop driven shots.

Close & deep

Inside the dashed circle, fielders attack — saving singles and taking catches. Push them to the boundary (third man, long-on, long-off) and the captain is trading runs for safety.