T20 field positions explained
Setting a death-overs field is a puzzle with strict rules. Here are the positions you can use in 5overs and what each one is for.
The rules
- After the powerplay, no more than five fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle.
- No more than two fielders can be behind square on the leg side.
- The keeper and bowler are fixed, so you place the other nine.
In the ring
| Position | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Slip | Behind the batter on the off side, next to the keeper. Catches edges; rare at the death. |
| Short third | In the ring behind square on the off side. Stops dabs and thick edges. |
| Point | Square on the off side in the ring. Stops cuts. |
| Cover | In front of square on the off side, in the ring. |
| Mid-off | Straight on the off side, in the ring. |
| Mid-on | Straight on the leg side, in the ring. |
| Midwicket | In front of square on the leg side, in the ring. |
| Square leg | Square on the leg side, in the ring. |
| Short fine leg | Behind square on the leg side, in the ring. Stops glances. |
On the boundary
| Position | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Third man | On the boundary behind the batter on the off side. Catches top edges and stops late cuts. |
| Deep point | On the boundary square on the off side. Key for wide yorkers. |
| Deep cover | On the boundary in front of square on the off side. |
| Long-off | On the boundary straight down the ground, off side. |
| Long-on | On the boundary straight down the ground, leg side. |
| Deep midwicket | On the boundary on the leg side in front of square. The slogger's favourite area. |
| Deep square leg | On the boundary square on the leg side. |
| Deep backward square | On the boundary behind square on the leg side. Covers the pull and the top edge. |
| Fine leg | On the boundary behind the batter on the leg side. Covers the hook and the ramp. |
Matching field to delivery
Yorkers and full balls are mostly hit straight, so long-off and long-on matter most. Wide yorkers go square and behind on the off side, so you want deep point and third man. Bouncers are pulled and hooked, so deep backward square and fine leg are the key men. 5overs has a standard, ring and attacking field for each type of ball.