Short Leg in cricket
Short leg is a very close fielder on the leg side, a few metres from the bat, who catches the ball that is deflected off the pad or the bat when the batter plays defensively.
Short leg stands close to the bat on the leg side, roughly square or slightly in front of square. It is the leg-side counterpart of silly point, and the fielder faces the batter’s pads and bat.
The diagram shows an approximate position, since short leg is not one of the planner’s standard positions and the fielder moves with the batter and the bowler.
What does a short leg do?
- Catches the ball that bounces up off the pad or the bat’s inside edge.
- Catches the defensive push that loops to the leg side.
- Puts pressure on the batter to play at every ball.
When should you use a short leg?
- Against a spinner who is turning the ball into the batter’s pads.
- When the pitch is low and slow, so the ball loops up off the pad.
- In Test matches, rather than short formats.
What skills does a short leg need?
Short leg needs a helmet and good reflexes. The fielder stays low, crouches before the ball is bowled and gets ready to catch or take evasive action. The role is not for everyone, so choose someone who is comfortable close to the bat.
What rules affect this position?
Under Law 28.1 and the ICC conditions, no fielder other than the wicket keeper may wear gloves or external leg guards, and any hand or finger protection needs the umpire’s consent. Helmets are allowed, and when not in use they may not be left on the ground except behind the keeper (clause 28.3.1). A fielder here counts as behind the popping crease on the on side unless the whole of their body, grounded or in the air, is in front of that line, so check that line when you count your leg-side fielders.
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 short leg and square leg?
Short leg stands very close to the bat to catch deflections. Square leg stands much further back, inside the ring, and catches the ball hit square on the leg side.
Does short leg count toward the leg-side limit?
It counts toward the limit on fielders on the leg side in ICC ODI and T20 matches. It counts as behind the popping crease only if the fielder is not wholly in front of that line.
Sources
Put your players on the field, save a plan for each situation, and send it to the team as a link. No sign-up.
Open Cricket Field MapRelated guides
Exact distances depend on the batter, the bowler and the ground. Positions are standard names, not fixed spots.