Cow Corner in cricket
Cow corner is the area of the boundary on the leg side between deep midwicket and long on, where batters often hit the ball when they slog across the line.
Cow corner is not a precise spot, but a stretch of the boundary on the leg side between deep midwicket and long on. A fielder placed there is guarding the slog hit across the line from a ball outside off stump or on the stumps.
The diagram shows an approximate position, since cow corner is not one of the planner’s standard positions.
What does a cow corner do?
- Stops the slog hit across the line.
- Catches the mishit high toward the leg side boundary.
- Fills the gap between deep midwicket and long on.
When should you use a cow corner?
- In the slog overs, against batters who swing across the line.
- Against a spinner who is being hit over the leg side, as in the spin bowling field.
- When the batter has hit two or three boundaries in that area.
What skills does a cow corner need?
Cow corner needs a safe catch for a high ball and a good judgement of where the shot will land. The fielder should be quick to run in or back, and ready to throw flat to the keeper.
What are common mistakes at cow corner?
- Standing too straight, so the hit goes between cow corner and deep midwicket.
- Misjudging a slog that spins in the air.
- Leaving the gap to long on without a call.
What rules affect this position?
This position is near the boundary, outside the fielding circle, so the fielder counts toward the limit on fielders outside the circle. In men’s matches (30-yard circle) that is two in the first six overs of a T20 international, five after, and in ODIs two, four and five in the three phases (overs 1 to 10, 11 to 40 and 41 to 50). In women’s matches (25-yard circle) it is two in the first six overs of a T20 international and four after, and in ODIs two in overs 1 to 10 and four after that. It is on the leg side, so the fielder also counts toward the limit of five leg-side fielders in those formats.
Is it the same for a left-hand batter?
This position is on the leg side. For a right-hand batter it is on the right of the diagram. For a left-hand batter the leg side swaps to the other half of the ground, so the position keeps its name but moves to the opposite side of the pitch.
In the planner, switch the plan to left-hand batter and every field mirrors for you. See field settings for a left-hand batter.
Frequently asked questions
Is cow corner a fixed position?
No. It is a stretch of the leg-side boundary between deep midwicket and long on, and the fielder moves along it to suit the batter.
Does cow corner count toward the leg-side limit?
Yes. It is on the leg side and outside the circle, so it counts toward both limits in ICC T20 and ODI matches.
Sources
- MCC Laws of Cricket, Law 28: The Fielder (Lord’s)
- ICC Men’s T20I Match, Clause 28: The Fielder
- ICC Men’s ODI Match, Clause 28: The Fielder
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Exact distances depend on the batter, the bowler and the ground. Positions are standard names, not fixed spots.