Cricket Field Position plays an important role in cricket

In order to judge a Fielding, a cricketer needs to have a sense of distance, speed, and time. And, they have to act accordingly. It is really difficult to act quickly because your reflexes need to be really good in order to catch the ball. Otherwise, you could drop a catch.

It is really important to be a good fielder. Because a good fielder will always save runs for the team. And it will boost the confidence for the team, captain (skipper) and the bowler. Cricket Field Position is also important because if the fielders are not placed in the right position, then it could leak runs.

When the batsman hits the ball, then fielders need to reach towards the ball and throw it towards the keeper or the bowler. It seems to be easy to ready. However, it is really difficult when you have to do that on the field. Fielders can get the batsman out by catching the ball or through run out.
There are two types of cricket field position:
1. Off-side
2. On-side (leg-side )

A fielder can use their body as well for stopping the ball from going towards a boundary. However, if any part of the body found touching towards the rope, then it will be signaled a boundary. So, they need to be cautious as well and need to know exactly the distance gap between them and the boundary rope.

But, if a player deliberately uses the hat or their cap, then it will be considered as a dead ball and five runs penalty will be awarded to the batting side. Furthermore, the batsman will also be considered as not out.

As per the new ICC rules, if any fielder tries to misguide the batsman while trying to move deliberately to have the ball in order to fool a batsman. It will be considered as a punishable offense.
Skills required for fielding in Cricket Field Position
1. A fielder who is standing closer to the batsman must have quick reflexes so that he can react quickly and can gather the ball.
2. A fielder must be consistently good at taking a catch. Because if you will drop the catch, then you can lose the match.
3. It requires full focus and concentration.
4. It requires a lot of practice and hard work.
5. Good diving in order to stop the ball.
Types of cricket field position in cricket

1. Wicket-Keeper:- The wicket-keeper is the most important field position. Because the ball reaches towards the wicketkeeper maximum number of times in comparison with any other fielder. He needs to be alert all the time because anytime a ball can come towards him either for a catch, stump, run out, etc. Now, days, they are also taking responsibility for judging the DRS( Decision Review System) incident. He can give suggestions to the captain(skipper) whether to take a review or not.

2. First Slip:- A fielder who has to stand closest to the wicketkeeper. If a right-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand right side of the wicketkeeper on the first position. If a left-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand the left side of the wicketkeeper in the first position.

3. Second slip:- A fielder who has to stand closest to the slip fielder one and will be the second person standing closer to the wicketkeeper. If a right-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand right side of the wicketkeeper on the second position. If a left-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand the left side of the wicketkeeper in the second position.

4. Third Slips:- A fielder who has to stand closest to the slip fielder two and will be the third person standing closer to the wicketkeeper. If a right-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand right side of the wicketkeeper on the third position. If a left-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand the left side of the wicketkeeper in the third position.

5. Long Stop:- A fielder who stands behind the wicketkeeper towards a boundary rope. You hardly see any player standing in this position.

6. Third man:- A fielder who stands behind the wicketkeeper on the offside (approx 45 degrees) near to the boundary rope and collects the ball that goes between the slip and the gully.

7. Gully:- A fielder who stands on the offside and between the point and slip position. The ball travels very quickly at this position. So, the fielder must be alert and prepared.

8. Short leg and a Silly Point:- A field who stands closer to the batsman in order to take a catch. But, he has to wear a helmet and pads in order to get some protection. Because he is standing too close to the wicketkeeper.
9. Point:- A fielder who stands at the left side of the right-hand batsman and left side to the left-hand batsman towards the wicket.

10. Extra cover:- A player who is placed between the cover fielder and mid-off.

11. Deep Extra Cover:- If the cover fielder is asked to come closer to the batsman in order to attack the batsman.

12. Mid-off:- A fielder who is positioned to save a cover drive boundary or quick singles from a 30-yard circle.

13. Long-off:- A fielder who is positioned to save a boundary on the offside and is standing straight and a left side and near the boundary rope.

14. Straight Hit:- A fielder that stands behind the bowler at the boundary line in order to stop a straight boundary. It is between the bowler and the side screen.

15. Mid On:- A fielder who is standing on the leg side that is between square leg and the mid-on.
16. Long-on:- A fielder who stands on the straight and leg side near the boundary rope.

17. Forward Short Leg:-  A fielder who is positioned to catch the ball that is not deliberately hit by the batsman.

18. Mid Wicket:- A fielder who stands on the leg side that is between square leg and mid-on.

19. Leg Slip:- A fielder who has to stand closest to the wicketkeeper. If a right-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand the left side of the wicketkeeper in the first position. If a left-hand batsman will bat, then he will stand the right side of the wicketkeeper in the first position.
Restriction on the cricket field position

The skipper of the fielding unit has the power to decide the fielding positions. However, if a bowler wants to change the field positions, he can also do it after having a discussion with the captain.

Here are the rules:-

A fielder cannot stand on the pitch because it is the central part of the area and can disturb the concentration of the batsman if he moves a single step. And, It would be difficult for the batsman to take a run.
1. Overs 1 to 10 is powerplay 1. In powerplay 1, only two 2. players can stand outside the 30-yard circle.
3. Overs 11 to 40 are powerplay 2.
4. Overs 41 to 50 are powerplay 3.
5. A fielder cannot make a move until the ball reaches the batsman. This rule is for the fielders who are standing closer to the batsman. However, the fielders who are standing away from the batsman( outside the 30-yard circle can move.

The above rules are for the ODI(One Day International) cricket. In case, if any an umpire finds that there are more than two fielders standing outside the 30-yard circle. Then, it will be a no-ball. If anyone will break this rule, then the umpire will call it a dead ball. The restrictions are there so that the fielding unit does not put a lot of players on the boundary rope in order to save runs.