Cricket Fielding Positions Quiz: 25 Questions With Diagrams Explained

Fielding positions are cricket's secret language — cow corner, silly point, deep backward square leg. Once you learn them, commentary stops sounding like code. Twenty-five questions, each with a quick explanation.

Off side basics (Q1–8)

Q1. Which side of the field is the off side for a right-handed batter? A. The side facing away from their body when in stance — to the bowler's left.

Q2. What position is slip? A. Fielder next to the keeper on the off side, catching edges.

Q3. What does "second slip" mean? A. The second fielder in the slip cordon, wider than first slip.

Q4. Where is gully? A. Square of the wicket on the off side, between slip and point.

Q5. Where is point? A. Square on the off side, roughly level with the batter.

Q6. What is the difference between point and cover? A. Point is square, cover is roughly 45 degrees forward of square.

Q7. Deep cover is positioned where? A. On the boundary in line with cover.

Q8. What is third man? A. A fielder on the off-side boundary behind the wicket, catching thin edges and late cuts.

Leg side basics (Q9–16)

Q9. Where is square leg? A. Square of the wicket on the leg side.

Q10. Where is fine leg? A. On or near the boundary behind square on the leg side.

Q11. What does "mid wicket" mean? A. Halfway between square leg and mid on, on the leg side.

Q12. What is "cow corner"? A. The boundary area between deep mid-wicket and long on — named because it was said cows could graze there safely.

Q13. Where is long on? A. Straight boundary on the leg side.

Q14. Where is long off? A. Straight boundary on the off side.

Q15. Leg slip is positioned where? A. Behind square on the leg side, close-in, mirror of a slip.

Q16. What is the leg gully? A. Close-in position on the leg side, square of the wicket, often used against short-ball bowling.

Close-in and fine positions (Q17–22)

Q17. What is silly point? A. A very close catching position on the off side, square of the wicket.

Q18. Silly mid-off is positioned where? A. Very close, straight and on the off side.

Q19. Short leg is on which side? A. Leg side, very close, slightly in front of square.

Q20. What is a fly slip? A. A slip positioned deeper than normal, between the slip cordon and third man.

Q21. What is a sweeper cover? A. A fielder on the cover boundary, designed to prevent fours through cover.

Q22. What is deep backward square leg? A. Boundary rider behind square on the leg side.

Mixed (Q23–25)

Q23. What is the 30-yard circle? A. The inner circle that restricts field placements during powerplays.

Q24. In T20I powerplays, how many fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle? A. Two (in the first six overs).

Q25. How many fielders are allowed on the leg-side behind square at any time? A. Two.

FAQ

Q: Why is it called "cow corner"? A: Because the position was historically seen as unusual for serious shots — fielders placed there were "out to pasture", hence the cows.

Q: What is the difference between fine leg and long leg? A: Fine leg is on or near the boundary behind square; long leg is even finer and typically positioned for hook shots.

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