Boasting a strong fielding team is just as important having good batsmen. Spanning all corners of the pitch, many of the position names are not only confusing… they’re a little strange. While a position described as deep refers to fielders out on the boundary, a fielder prefixed with silly lurks unconventionally close to the batsman.

Here’s a quick guide to who’s-who in the zoo.

Wicketkeeper
Okay girls, this is an easy one. Arguably the most specialised position within a cricket team, the wicketkeeper lingers behind the stumps (or wickets) tasked with the role of stumping the batsman. In order to ‘stump’ someone, the wicketkeeper must strike the stumps with the ball when the batsman is outside of the safe zone, known as the ‘crease’.

Slips
Catches win matches, which is why the slip fielder’s role is paramount in any team. The first slip stands about a foot behind the wicketkeeper, with his friends (aptly named) the second slip and third slip following suit. Quick thinking and agile, most of the games catches will be taken by the slips.

Gully
Your first thought might be a valley or ravine, but in cricketing terms a gully sits just behind the square of the wicket on the off side. Focussed on catching forceful shots from the batsman been missed by the slip, the gully needs to quick to react.

Point
If you’re looking for where the action is at, try the point. Usually the best fielder in the team, the point waits square of the wicket ready to stop powerful shots played off the batsman’s back foot. To make things a little confusing, there are a few different points in that area. The backward point is slightly behind square of the wicket, while the silly point (which as the name suggests, is not a great place to field) waits closest to the batsman. You’ll often find the silly point jumping around trying to protect themselves from big shots played by the batsman.

Cover
Also a busy area on the field, the cover works to stop runs coming from the batsman driving off the front or back foot. Supported by the extra cover (positioned between the regular cover fielder and the mid-off), the short extra Cover and the deep Extra Cover, this group of fast-moving fielders spread from the point to mid-off.

Third Man
The third man is all about damage control. Working to save runs, the third man can be found behind the wicket keeper on the off-side, usually 45 degrees to the wicket. Covering a large area between the slip and the gully, don’t be surprised if you don’t see the third man on the field. Often teams prefer to attack than defend, which can mean sacrificing this position.

Fine Leg
Possibly the least glamorous fielding position, the fine leg is usually where bowlers hope to get a bit of rest between overs. Lurking on the leg side around 45 degrees the wicket, the fine leg plays a very important role in saving runs, sweeping up a large area of the onside, particularly if the leg glance shot is being played.

Mid Wicket
Yet another run-saver, the mid wicket is positioned on the batsman’s leg side.

Mid Off
Sometimes home to the captain, the mid off works close to the bowler passing on valuable advice and encouragement. Tasked to cut off the straight drive, a mid off must stay on their toes. While a mid off is usually 10 – 15 metres from the batman, the silly mid-off is tucked in close looking for opportunities to strike. The deep mid-off and the long-off work close to the boundary. Similarly on the leg or on side is the mid-on, deep mid-on and long-on.

Square Leg
Cosied up against the second umpire, as its name suggests, this position is square of the wicket on the leg side. Working to take sharp catches, it’s imperative that the the square leg is alert.

Deep square leg is back on the boundary, while at backward square stands slightly behind the line of the wicket.

Short leg is a position usually given to the youngest member of the fielding side. Protection is vital. Armed with a helmet and shin guards, the short leg must react quickly.

Rules – do’s and don’t on the pitch
Long before WAGs began gracing our tabloid magazines, cricket was widely reputed as the gentleman’s game, where etiquette was paramount. Today, the do’s and don’ts of cricket remain the same. Here’s a quick guide on how to spot a gentleman on the field.

Umpire's decision is final
As boring as it sounds, what the umpire says is gospel. A true cricketing gentlemen will bite his tongue once a decision has been made – even when though he’s adamant the batsman should be out.

Changing the condition of the ball
It’s simple. Polish it, dry it, but never, ever tamper with it. Any player caught interfering with the seam or the surface of the red ball should fear the wrath of the umpire.

Stealing a run
Stealing a run during the bowler's run-up will not be tolerated and any attempt made will see five penalty runs awarded to the fielding side.

Applaud the new batsman
Bravo, bravo. Whether it’s the Vodafone Ashes Series or a game of backyard cricket, its good manners to clap the new batsman making their way to the wicket.

Damaging the pitch
The pitch must be treated with the utmost respect. Bowlers must stay off the protected area and all players are responsible for making sure the pitch is not damaged during play.

Distracting the batsman
As tempting as it may be, a fielder must never distract or obstruct a batsman on purpose. Watch out, the punishment is harsh. If you’re caught monkeying around, a dead ball will be called by the umpire and five penalty runs will be added to the batting side's total.

Dangerous bowling
Keep it safe. If a bowler keeps bowling short-pitched or high full-pitched balls which could injure the batsman, then these deliveries will be called a no-ball by the umpire. They also come with a stern warning from the umpire. Two strikes and the umpire will issue a final warning. Three times and the umpire can order the team’s captain to dismiss the bowler, who will then not be able to bowl again for the rest of the innings.

Time wasting
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. The umpire will give a first and final warning to a team if any player tries to waste. If it happens again following the warning, the opposition will be awarded five runs.