Captaincy and Field-Setting Basics: Positions and Restrictions
An introduction to cricket captaincy and field setting: the main fielding positions, attacking and defensive fields, and fielding restrictions by format.
A cricket captain makes decisions on almost every ball. Which bowler to use, where to place the fielders and when to attack or defend are all judgements that can decide a match. Field setting is the most visible part of that job, and understanding the basic positions explains much of the strategy that commentators discuss.
The role of the captain
The captain wins or loses the toss, picks the team with the selectors and decides the bowling changes during play. In Test cricket, the captain also chooses when to declare an innings and whether to enforce the follow-on. A good captain reads the pitch, the conditions and the opposition, and keeps the team organised. Many captains also rely on senior players and the wicketkeeper for advice during the game.
The fielding positions
Fielding positions are described by their location relative to the batter. On the off side, the main positions include the following.
- Slips and gully: close catchers behind the batter on the off side.
- Point and cover: fielders square of the wicket and in front of it.
- Mid-off: a fielder straight on the off side, near the bowler.
- Third man: a deep fielder behind the wicket on the off side.
On the leg side, the common positions are listed below.
- Mid-on and midwicket: in front of square on the leg side.
- Square leg: level with the batter on the leg side.
- Fine leg: behind square on the leg side.
- Long-on, long-off and deep midwicket: boundary fielders.
Close catchers such as silly point and short leg are positioned very near the batter to pick up edges and deflections, usually against spin.
Attacking and defensive fields
An attacking field has several fielders close to the bat, usually slips and gully, in the hope of taking wickets. A defensive field spreads fielders around the boundary, which prevents fours and sixes but gives away singles. Captains choose between them depending on the match situation, the quality of the batter and the stage of the innings.
Fielding restrictions
The Laws set a limit of two fielders behind the popping crease on the leg side at the moment of delivery, which prevents bowlers from simply packing the leg-side boundary. In limited-overs cricket there are additional restrictions based on a marked circle 30 yards from the stumps.
In One Day Internationals, the first ten overs are a powerplay with a maximum of two fielders outside the circle, and later phases allow four and then five fielders outside the circle. In Twenty20 Internationals, only two fielders may be outside the circle for the first six overs, and five are allowed afterwards. These rules encourage attacking batting at the start and push captains to use their best bowlers early.
Bowling changes
Choosing the right bowler for the situation is as important as setting the field. A captain might bring on a spinner to exploit a worn pitch, keep a strong death bowler for the closing overs or rotate bowlers to keep them fresh. A good bowling change can break a partnership and swing the momentum.
Declarations and the follow-on
In Test cricket, a captain may declare an innings closed to leave enough time to bowl out the opposition. Declare too early and the opponent may chase down the target, and declare too late and the match will drift to a draw. The follow-on allows a captain whose team has led by a set number of runs to ask the opposition to bat again at once. In a Test of five days or more the margin is 200 runs.
Using reviews
Under the Decision Review System, a captain has a limited number of reviews to challenge umpiring decisions. Deciding when to use them, often after a quick conversation with the bowler and wicketkeeper, is part of the leadership role.
Frequently asked questions
How many fielders can be on the leg side behind square?
No more than two fielders may stand behind the popping crease on the leg side at the time the ball is bowled.
What is a powerplay?
It is a period in limited-overs cricket when fielding restrictions are strictest, with only a small number of fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
What is the follow-on?
It is an option for the captain of the team that has taken a big first-innings lead to make the opposition bat again immediately. In a Test of five days or more, the lead needed is 200 runs.