Attacking vs Defensive Fields
Also known as: attacking field, defensive field, attacking field setting, defensive field setting, field placements in cricket, setting a field
An attacking field puts fielders in catching positions close to the bat, such as slips, gully and short leg, to take wickets. A defensive field spreads fielders out, often on the boundary, to stop runs. Captains choose based on the match situation, the pitch and the batter.
Attacking fields are common with a new ball, early in an innings or when a new batter arrives. Several slips and close catchers wait for edges and bat-pad chances. The trade-off is gaps in the outfield, so good shots go for runs.
Defensive fields are common late in limited-overs innings or when a batter is set. Fielders guard the boundary and the main scoring areas. Wickets come less often, but the batting side has to take risks to score.
The Laws set some limits. Under Law 28.4, no more than two fielders apart from the keeper may stand behind the popping crease on the leg side. Limited-overs competitions add their own fielding restrictions during powerplays.
Tips by skill level
As a batter, look around the field before every ball. Count the slips and find the biggest gap.
As captain, set the field for the bowler's plan, not just the batter. A full, wide line needs slips and a cover sweeper.
Example
With a new ball, the captain sets three slips, a gully and a short leg. Twenty overs later, with the batter set, he moves two slips out to deep point and fine leg.
Why it matters
Field settings show what the fielding side is planning. Batters who read them can spot the gaps and the traps.
Common mistakes
- Keeping an attacking field after the ball stops moving
- Going defensive too early and letting a new batter settle
- Setting a field that does not match the bowler's line
- Batters not checking the field before each ball
Frequently asked questions
What is an attacking field in cricket?
It is a field with players in catching positions close to the bat, like slips, gully and short leg, set to take wickets.
When should a captain set a defensive field?
Usually when a batter is set, the ball has stopped moving or late in a limited-overs innings, to cut down boundaries.
Sources
Related terms
- Catching PositionA catching position in cricket is the stance and body alignment a fielder adopts while waiting for a possible catch — soft knees, hands in front, eyes on the ball — to maximise reaction time and secure the catch.
- Slip CatchingSlip catching is the specialist skill of catching edges in the slip cordon, the fielders placed behind the batter on the off side. It usually takes exceptional reflexes and soft hands.
- Finding Gaps in the FieldTo find gaps, look at the field before every ball and pick the space you will aim for. Then use the angle of the bat face and soft or firm hands to place the ball there. Hit along the ground into the space between fielders and run hard for the single.
- PowerplayA powerplay is a set of overs in limited-overs cricket when the fielding side may have only a few fielders outside the 30-yard circle. In T20 internationals the first six overs allow two fielders outside it. In one-day internationals, overs 1 to 10 allow two, overs 11 to 40 allow four and overs 41 to 50 allow five. Other competitions can set their own versions, so check your playing conditions.
- Death-Overs BowlingDeath-overs bowling is the skill of bowling the final overs of a limited-overs innings. The batting team is trying to hit every ball for a boundary.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.