Setting a field is arguably the most difficult task a cricket captain will perform on a regular basis during a match. A good cricket captain will be able to set an appropriate field for any situation. It is important that as a captain, you grasp the essentials of setting an appropriate field - here are some things to bear in mind.
Know Your Fielders
Much like choosing a bowler, it is important that you first know the characteristics of each of your players. Take into account the following things when deciding where each particular player should be fielding:
- their catching ability
- their throwing ability
- their agility
- their reaction speed
- whether or not they will be bowling frequently
It stands to reason that some players in a team will be better all-round fielders than others. However, it is important during a match that you don't end up with your weakest fielder in a place where a catch is likely to fall; similarly, you don't want to be conceding singles all the time because your infielders have slow reactions. It is also important to consider who among your team bowls, and who doesn't - bowlers will often need to be in relatively inactive fielding positions, in order that they remain well-rested while bowling a spell.
Gauge The Batsmen's Strengths And Weaknesses
It is crucial that when playing against unfamiliar opposition, you are able to quickly assess a particular batsman's strengths and weaknesses and adjust to them accordingly. It often takes no more than a couple of overs to judge how a batsman likes to play; occasionally, you will find yourself fairly confident of how they will play before they even reach the crease. For example, the 6ft 5in, burly pace bowler, who strode confidently to the wicket at number six and took a middle-stump guard, is unlikely to end up stodgily holding up one end while his team-mate scores the runs.
Every batsman has preferred scoring areas, and areas in which he is liable to be dismissed. It is vital as a captain that you are flexible enough to set fields to take into account both aspects of a batsman's style - however, trying to cover both bases, i.e. trying to prevent a batsman from scoring while also trying to dismiss him, is liable to spread your fielding resources too thinly, and lead to some swift run-scoring.
Play Mind Games
Field settings are the most important way that a captain can influence the mindset of an opposition batsman. As mentioned above, if you've taken early wickets and have set an aggressive field, the batsman knows he's in for a testing time, and is likely to feel more under pressure. This pressure will lead to mistakes, and more wickets. A good batsman is hyper-aware of the field around him at all times; similarly, a good captain is hyper-aware of what is going on in the batsman's mind.
Toying with a batsman's mindset effectively will almost always lead to results - every time you make a field change, consider not just the effect it will have on your team's ability to dry up the runs or take catches, but on the machinations of the batsman's mind. Only the best batsmen will be unaffected by seeing a captain move a fielder to the long-leg boundary - this indicates a forthcoming bouncer, but whether or not that bouncer ever comes is up to a captain and his bowlers.
Bowl To A Plan
A captain's plan for the coming overs should always be at the forefront of his mind. Setting a field is a key element of such a plan - the best bowler in the world would take few wickets if he didn't have fielders in the right places. Think of where you want the match to be in five or ten overs' time, not just in the coming over; set your field aggressively or defensively depending on the match situation, and then choose a bowler to carry out your plan.
If you're aiming to capitalise on a specific weakness in a batsman's game, set a field accordingly. If they are weak when driving outside off-stump, throw in an extra slip fielder and an extra man in the covers, and tell your most accurate seam bowler to bowl full-length deliveries outside off-stump. If they like to use their feet to the spinners and come down the wicket, vacate the straight boundaries to tempt them into doing so, but tell your spinner to bowl anything but a straight ball.
Stay Energetic And Take Wickets
If you follow all this advice, you'll be well on your way to being able to set the ideal field for any situation - but all the advice you've read here must be supplemented by an energetic and enthusiastic attitude to fielding. If your fielders aren't attentive and alert, they'll drop catches and give away runs; if they are, however, then your newly-gained knowledge of field setting techniques will stand you in good stead for the seasons to come.
For tips on Picking Your Bowlers, click here. For advice about Motivating Your Players, click here.
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