Index

Attacking field
Owner: B Aitken


The arrangement of fielders that is intended to maximise the likelihood of batsmen being dismissed, for example, Out caught, rather than to preventing them from scoring runs.

An attacking field, with a cordon of close fielders, is used in a situation in which the bowling side either has the initiative or wishes to seize the initiative, as when bowling with the new ball or to a newly-arrived batsman, or when the pitch is taking a lot of spin.

Examples of when an attacking side may be set include bowling with a new ball, bowling to a batsman who has just commenced his innings or when the pitch is affording the bowler considerable help e.g. excessive spin or lateral movement.

A typical attacking field for a fast bowler would include a number of slips, a gully, a forward short leg, and perhaps a silly point or short extra cover. Run-saving fielding positions such as third man and long leg will usually be dispensed with.