Fielding 'In the Ring'

Any man fielding 'in the ring' – i.e. the positions about 25 yards from the bat, which are there to stop the batsmen taking easy singles – is expected to attack the ball. It helps if you're walking in and on your toes as the bowler bowls, something you're taught in the under-elevens but occasionally forget.

As soon as they come in, batsmen will scrutinise fielders 'in the ring', assessing which ones are quick, which ones are slower, and which hand they throw with. They will earmark tired-looking (or clumsy-moving) bowlers as targets for quick singles, and they will also note the left-handed fielders. Numerous batsmen have been run out having knocked the ball to what they thought was the man's wrong side, then seeing him pick up the ball left-handed and hurl down the stumps before they've barely got halfway. For spinners, nimble fielders are often posted in places where you would least expect them – short fine leg for instance – trying to inhibit batsmen from playing their favourite shots.

Graham Thorpe, in the focal position of backward point, gets into good shape here to pounce on the ball and throw as the batsmen attempt to pinch a single (below). He was perhaps a little deep though and anyway the throw missed. Hitting the wicket from side-on with one stump to aim at is something the Australians excel at, but it doesn't come without endless practice. The most famous cover fielder of all, the legendary Colin Bland used to demonstrate his skills before play, with a dozen throws at a single stump from 25 yards. Apparently he rarely missed.

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Fielders 'in the ring' walk in as the bowler bowls so they are on their toes to stop quick singles and seize on run-out chances.

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