The 30-yard circle (or 27-meter circle) in cricket is a crucial area, particularly in limited-overs cricket (ODI and T20), where fielding constraints dictate how many players can be outside this inner circle during specific parts of the game.
Fielders within the 30-yard circle are usually stationed to:
prevent singles: Restrict batsmen from scoring easy runs.
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apply pressure: Pressure batsmen to play over the top, which can result in possible catches.
Take quick catches: Be capable of taking sudden chances off the bat.
The following are the primary fielding positions within the 30-yard circle, grouped by their overall location concerning the batsman (assuming a right-handed batsman):
On the Off-Side (Right side in the case of a Right-Handed Batsman)
Slips (First Slip, Second Slip, Third Slip, etc.): Standing behind the batsman, on a diagonal to the wicketkeeper.
Their main job is to catch edges off the bat of pace bowlers. The number of slips depends on the bowler and the pitch.
Gully: Broader than the slips, standing between the slip and the point. Catches thick edges or mis-timed shots.
Point: Square of the wicket, employed to cut off shots played square on the off-side (e.g., cuts, square drives).
Usually, an extremely quick fielder is stationed here.
Backward Point: Little behind the point position, employed against batsmen who play the cut shot late.
Cover: Somewhat more square than mid-off, takes care of the region for drives.
Extra Cover: Between cover and mid-off, guards a broader area for drives.5
Mid-off: In line with the bowler, guarding straight drives and offering the stopping point for the bowler’s follow-through.6
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Silly Point: Close to the batsman on the off-side, nearly in line with the stumps.7 Employed to catch deflections from bat or pad, particularly from spinners. Protective gear is necessary because of the closeness.
Silly Mid-off: The same as silly point, but a bit straight, only a few yards away from the batsman.8
On the Leg-Side (Left side for a Right-Handed Batsman)
Fine Leg: In line with the square on the leg side, frequently very fine (nearly on the umpire’s line). Catches the top edges or fine deflections off hooks and glances.
Square Leg: Square of the wicket on the leg side. Traps pull shots, sweeps, and flicks.
Backward Square Leg: A little behind square leg.
Mid-wicket: Between square leg and mid-on. Traps shots played through the leg side.
Mid-on: Directly on the leg side, opposite to mid-off.
10 Picked up straight drives and offers a point where the bowler’s follow-through can stop.
Short Leg (or Bat-Pad): Extremely near the batsman on the leg side, usually behind square. Picks up the ball that pops up off the bat or pad, particularly against the spinners.11 Wears protective gear.
Silly Mid-on: Rather straighter than short leg but not more than a few yards from the batsman on the leg side.
Leg Slip: Rather like an off-side slip but on the leg side, to catch fine edges or glances off the pads. Less frequent than off-slips.
Leg Gully: Wider than leg slip, rather like a gully but on the leg side.14 Also less frequent.
The Wicketkeeper remains behind the stumps and inside the 30-yard circle (except standing back for very quick bowlers or special tactics). They are the sole fielder who can wear gloves and pads and are essential for catches, stumpings, and run-outs.
The exact positioning of these fielders inside the 30-yard circle relies significantly on the match situation, the bowler’s style, the batsman’s strengths and weaknesses, and the captain’s strategy.
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