Deep Square Leg in cricket
Deep square leg is a boundary fielder on the leg side, square of the wicket, who stops the pull and the slog sweep before they reach the rope.
Deep square leg stands near the boundary on the leg side, level with the batter. It is the deep version of square leg and sits between deep midwicket and deep fine leg.
It guards the square boundary on the leg side, where the pull and the sweep go.
What does a deep square leg do?
- Stops the pull and the slog sweep hit square on the leg side.
- Catches the high shot hit to the leg side.
- Saves the boundary against a spinner’s sweep.
When should you use a deep square leg?
- Against a spinner when the batter sweeps, as in the spin bowling field.
- In the slog overs, where pull shots are common.
- Against a batter who hits the short ball square.
What skills does a deep square leg need?
Deep square leg needs a strong throw, a safe catch and a good sense of the ball in the air. The fielder has to judge a flat pull or a loop from a sweep, and be ready to run in or back.
What are common mistakes at deep square leg?
- Standing too far toward fine leg, so the pull passes in front.
- Standing too near the rope, so there is no room to step back for the catch.
- Switching off when the ball is on the off side.
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
What is the difference between deep square leg and deep midwicket?
Deep square leg is square, so it stops the pull and the sweep. Deep midwicket is further round toward long on, so it stops the slog.
Does deep square leg 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.