Fine Leg in cricket
Fine leg is a fielder on the leg side, behind square, who stops the glance, the fine sweep and the ball that comes off the pads and runs behind the batter.
Fine leg stands behind square on the leg side, close to a line running back from the stumps. In the inner ring the fielder stands inside the circle, and deep fine leg stands near the boundary.
The deeper the fielder, the larger the area they cover, but the less they can save singles.
What does a fine leg do?
- Stops the leg glance and the ball tickled off the pads.
- Stops the fine sweep played against spin.
- Catches the hook shot that goes in the air behind square.
When should you use a fine leg?
- In the powerplay, where fine leg and third man are the usual two outside fielders, as in the powerplay field.
- For a bowler who bowls straight and at the pads.
- For the ramp and the scoop in the slog overs.
What skills does a fine leg need?
Fine leg needs a strong throw from a long way, since the fielder is a long distance from the stumps. Running in to meet the ball and a clean pick-up matter more than catching. Fine leg also needs to listen for the captain’s call to move back or forward.
What rules affect this position?
Fine leg stands behind the popping crease on the leg side, so the fielder counts toward the Law 28.4 limit of two fielders, other than the keeper, behind the popping crease on the on side. In ICC T20 and ODI matches the leg-side fielders also count toward the limit of five on the leg side. Deep fine leg, near the boundary, counts as outside the circle.
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
Does fine leg count toward the two-behind-square limit?
Yes. A fielder standing behind the popping crease on the leg side counts toward the limit of two, not counting the wicket keeper.
What is the difference between fine leg and deep fine leg?
Fine leg stands inside the circle, and deep fine leg stands near the boundary and counts as outside the circle.
Sources
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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.