Deep Midwicket in cricket
Deep midwicket is a boundary fielder on the leg side, between long on and deep square leg, who stops the pull and the slog hit across the line.
Deep midwicket stands near the boundary on the leg side, about halfway between long on and deep square leg. It is the deep version of midwicket.
Against a right-hand batter it covers the largest scoring zone in limited-overs cricket, since many batters have the most power through midwicket.
What does a deep midwicket do?
- Stops the pull and the slog hit across the line.
- Catches the high shot hit toward the boundary on the leg side.
- Stops the ball that beats midwicket and runs toward the rope.
When should you use a deep midwicket?
- In the middle and late overs, as in the slog overs field.
- Against a spinner when the batter hits across the line, as in the spin bowling field.
- Against a batter who is strong on the leg side.
What skills does a deep midwicket need?
Deep midwicket needs a safe catch from a high ball, a strong throw and good judgement of the ball in the air. The fielder also needs to be able to run in or back quickly, because the ball may land short or long.
What are common mistakes at deep midwicket?
- Standing too deep, so the ball drops in front of the fielder.
- Standing too straight, so a flat pull passes to the side.
- Running toward the ball before judging its flight.
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 also on the leg side, so the fielder 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
Why is deep midwicket so important in T20?
Many batters hit the ball hardest through the leg side, so it is the most common target for a boundary. A good fielder here saves many runs.
Does deep midwicket count toward the leg-side limit?
Yes. It counts toward the five leg-side fielders and the limit outside the circle 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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Open Cricket Field MapRelated guides
Exact distances depend on the batter, the bowler and the ground. Positions are standard names, not fixed spots.