Square Leg in cricket
Square leg is an inner-ring fielder on the leg side, level with the batter, who stops the pull, the sweep and the ball hit square on the leg side.
Square leg stands at a right angle to the pitch on the leg side, inside the circle, facing the batter.
A deeper version, deep square leg, stands near the boundary, and a closer version is short leg.
What does a square leg do?
- Stops the pull, the sweep and the flick played square on the leg side.
- Catches the pull played in the air.
- Cuts off singles to the leg side.
When should you use a square leg?
- In most fields for a right-hand batter, since the leg side is where many shots go.
- Against a spinner when the batter sweeps, as in the spin bowling field.
- Moved back to deep square leg in the slog overs.
What skills does a square leg need?
Square leg needs a strong throw and good judgement of a ball hit hard to the side. The fielder also has to watch the umpire and stay clear of the line of the shot. Good anticipation of the pull is important.
What rules affect this position?
This position is inside the fielding circle, so it does not count toward the limit on fielders outside the circle in ICC T20 and ODI matches. It does not count toward the two-behind-square limit unless the fielder stands behind the popping crease on the leg side.
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 square leg and fine leg?
Square leg is level with the batter, so it stops shots hit square. Fine leg is behind square, so it stops the glance and the fine shots.
Does square leg count as behind the popping crease?
It depends on where the fielder stands. A fielder counts as behind the popping crease unless the whole body is in front of that line.
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.