Field settings for pace bowling

An attacking field for pace bowling starts with a slip cordon. When the bowler is hitting a good length around off stump, the batter edges the ball regularly, and catchers behind the wicket turn those edges into wickets.

Fewer fielders are needed on the boundary in this setting, so the plan puts most of the team within catching or saving distance of the bat.

Make your own plan, free

Positions in this field

• Wicket Keeper
• Bowler
• Slip
• 2nd Slip
• Gully
• Backward Point
• Cover
• Mid Off
• Mid On
• Square Leg
• Deep Fine Leg

How to use it

• Build the cordon in order: first slip, second slip, then gully. Add them only when the bowler is bowling a consistent line.
• Use backward point and cover to save the cut and the drive on the off side.
• Keep mid-off and mid-on up to stop the straight drive and to catch a mistimed shot.
• Move a fielder from the cordon to the boundary if the batter starts to score freely behind square.
• Slip catching is a skill. Practise it every session with a catching cradle or a bat and ball.

More guides

• Powerplay field settings
• Death overs field settings
• Field settings for a left-hand batter
• Field settings for spin bowling

This is an example, not a rule. Fielding restrictions differ between competitions and age groups, so check your own playing conditions.