Cricket from leg to toe

This position is behind the stumps and is the only fielder permitted to wear gloves while in position. The distance is dependent on the speed of the bowler. Usually, they stand right up to the wicket to a spin or slower bowler to try catch the batter out of their crease.

The fielders in the slips will see more of the ball than almost anyone else. The number of slips can vary based on a number of factors, but will often be between one and four. Reaction times have to quick in the slips, as its common to see a ball flying off the bat's edge.

It is on the off side behind square of the wicket. Be quick! Close to slips, opportunities in this area will be from batsman speedy shots that have either caught the edge of the bat or haven't been kept along the ground.

The place for the best fielder in the team (90º from the batsman). Choose a position: backward point is behind square of the wicket, while silly point brings the fielder much closer to the batter. The point fielder needs to combine fast reflexes with impressive acrobatics.

Starting from point to mid-off, the main aim is to stop the runs coming from the batsman driving off the front or back foot. With most bowlers aiming to pitch the ball on the off-side, a cover fielder is almost always employed by the captain.

The position saving all runs. Located 45º to the wicket, it covers a large area: from the slip to gully area. In shorter formats, it’s employed to save runs behind square from short bowling.

The purpose of mid-wicket (45-60º from the bat) is similar to that of the cover fielder, albeit on the leg-side of the field. Deep mid-wicket is an interesting variation of the position, particular when faced with an aggressive batter.

Mid-off stands facing the batter, almost parallel to the pitch. You’ll often find the captain fielding at mid-off. While a necessary fielding position, it’s also not the most intensive, allowing the captain to focus on strategy and adjustments required elsewhere in the field.

This position is square of the wicket (90º from the batter) on the leg side. It’s an easy position, as it is stationed next to the square leg umpire. Short bowling brings the position into play and alertness quickly becomes important when batters whip the ball off their legs.