Fielding (cricket) facts for kids

In cricket, one team puts all of its players in the field and tries to stop the other team from scoring. These players in the field are called fielders, and they can get the other team's players out by hitting a wicket with the ball when the other team's players are not in the batsman's ground of the wicket.

Fielding positions

Fielding positions for a right-handed batter

Fielders can stand anywhere in the field, and there are many names for the different parts of the field they can stand in. Most of the names are based on what angle the fielder stands away from the batter (it also depends on whether the batter is left-handed or right-handed), and how far away they are from the batter.

Some common fielding positions are the wicketkeeper and the bowler.

Images for kids

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  Some historic fielding position names, from the 1893 publication The reliable book of outdoor games.

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  Example of two close fielders: a short leg and a silly point stand close to the batters on either side of the pitch. They are both wearing protective equipment (helmets and leg pads). The wicket keeper is 'standing up' to the stumps, and the square leg umpire is also visible.

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  Marcus Trescothick fields at slip during a Twenty20 match.

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  Mark Turner executes a sliding stop at Taunton during a Twenty20 match.

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  A silly point (far) and a short leg (near) fielding for Nottinghamshire. Both are wearing helmets. The wicket-keeper's shin pads are on the outside of his trousers, but the fielders must fit their guards underneath their clothing.

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  Jonty Rhodes, who typically fielded at backward point, has been fielding coach for South Africa, Mumbai Indians and Kenya