Fielding restrictions (cricket)

 T20 Cricket

During the first 6 overs of an innings, a maximum of 2 fielders are allowed to stand outside the 30-yard circle. After this, a maximum of 5 players are allowed outside the circle for the rest of the innings. Additionally, there are only 5 fielders allowed on the leg side of the field at any point in the innings.

One last rule, which not as many people know about, is that there is only allowed to be 2 fielders behind square on the leg side whenever the ball is bowled. 



ODI cricket

There are three ‘powerplay’ periods in ODI matches which govern where fielders can stand. In the first powerplay, two fielders are allowed to stand outside the 30-yard circle. In powerplay two, four fielders are allowed outside the circle. In the last powerplay, five fielders are allowed outside the circle.

As well as the powerplay rules, I should also mention that a fielding side is only allowed to place a maximum of five fielders on the leg side at any point during the innings.




  1. Powerplay 1 = First ten overs (60 balls) of the innings
  2. Powerplay 2 = Between the start of the 11th over and the end of the 40th over (180 balls)
  3. Powerplay 3 = The last ten overs (60 balls) of the innings

Powerplay 1

So, because there are only two fielders allowed outside the circle during the first powerplay, in this period of the game you’re likely to see a field that looks like the one shown in the diagram below. Also notice how there are only four fielders on the leg side, and only two fielders behind square on that same side of the field, satisfying those fielding restrictions. When batting against fields like this, the batters usually know that if they time the ball well and are able to place their shot, they will be able to pick up boundaries easily. Modern batters will also routinely hit the ball aerially over the heads of the close fielders. The first powerplay in an ODI is the best time to score runs, so all teams need strong opening batters that can play aggressively and exploit the fielding restrictions.

You’ll often see field placements like these in the opening powerplay of an ODI match

Powerplay 2

Powerplay 2 gives bowlers a lot more protection, as they are now allowed to place 4 fielders outside of the 30-yard circle, rather than the 2 that they had during the first powerplay. In powerplay 2, you’ll often see fielding captains using field placements like the ones in the diagram below. Because there are more fielders on the boundary during this period, batters will usually not be able to score as many boundaries. However, the most skilled players will exploit the gaps in the infield to pick up singles and twos, whilst still picking up the odd boundary to keep the run rate high. Bowling sides should be doing their best to take regular wickets during this period as it can really help tie a batting side down, and stops them launching an all out attack at the back end of the innings.

Fields like this one are used regularly during the second powerplay of an ODI. Four fielders are allowed to patrol the boundary in this phase

Powerplay 3

Powerplay 3 provides even more protection to the bowlers as a total of 5 fielders are allowed to stand outside the 30-yard circle. This extra protection is much needed, because this is usually the period of the game where batters are trying to hit every ball for a boundary to pick up as many runs as they can at the back end of an innings. During this period fielding captains will often set fields that look like the one in the diagram below, and will instruct their bowlers to use their variations and mix up their lengths in order to make the ball harder to hit powerfully. Against these fields some batters will back themselves to hit the ball over the heads of the fielders for 6, whilst others will move around the crease and play creative shots like the ramp to hit the ball in unorthodox areas.

Ezoic

A typical field setting for the third powerplay in the last ten overs of the innings. Placing your boundary fielders correctly in this phase is very important!

What Happens If Fielding Restrictions Are Ignored Or Broken

The responsibility for checking the placement of fielders during a match lies with the on-field umpires as well as the TV replay umpires. To do this, they will closely monitor the exact positions of fielders as the bowler delivers the ball. If any fielding restrictions are violated at this point, one of the umpires will immediately call and signal a no ball. This will happen every time a fielding restriction is broken.

It’s important to note that the no ball is only called if the fielding restrictions are broken during the ball’s delivery. Before the ball is delivered, fielders have the flexibility to position themselves even in ways that might breach the rules. However, they must adjust and ensure compliance by the time the ball is bowled.

For instance, let’s consider a hypothetical scenario during the 1st over of an ODI match. As the bowler prepares to commence their run-up, the fielders may be positioned as shown in the diagram below. You can see in the diagram that there are 3 fielders outside the 30-yard circle, although only a maximum of two are allowed. The fielder that the yellow arrow is pointing to is actually intended to be inside the 30-yard circle at mid-off. This means that in order to avoid breaking the fielding restrictions, this fielder must quickly move into the correct position within the 30-yard circle before the ball is delivered. Failure to do so would result in the umpire calling and signaling a no ball.

Test Cricket

Regarding fielding restrictions in test cricket, there are almost no limits regarding such rules. Test cricket fielding restrictions do not impose where exactly each fielder must stand. However, with the exception that the two people must be behind the square leg boundary, which is the core rule. The captain of the team has the freedom to create a dynamic field based on the current situation. However, in all forms of cricket, including test cricket, only two fielders are permitted in the area separating square leg and long stop as mentioned earlier.

It is important to take note that regardless of overall positioning, no fielder can be on the pitch (central area) at the moment of the bowler’s delivery until the batsman has played or attempted to play the ball. Overall, the captains have the freedom to deploy the other fielders within the boundaries. However, except for the two people in the square leg boundary. As it can be one way to increase their chances of winning.

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