What would you people reccomend as a good field for an off spinner in both forms of the game. In 20/20 usually i have a defensive field with normal positions like mid off, mid on pushed deep. deep cover and so on. The people at my club told me it is better to aviod getting hit then to take wickets in both forms of the game. I dont agree and I will be changing my field come sunday. Can anybody lend me a hand?

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I'm not too great with field placings, but near the death put good fielders (I've seen Jonty Rhodes and Trevor Penney do this) down at long-on and long-off. They need to be able to stop boundaries obviously, but will also be able to get the ball back quicker to effect a run-out or take a good catch as hitting down the ground is the normal for a off-spinner, especially if you toss it up.

Ermmm, deep cover is good and a fine leg to combat sweeps. Other than that, I'm no expert to be honest.

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I'd imagine cow corner would be necessary if theres any sort of run chase on as thats whee the ball will usually finish up in lower grades of cricket. As for a general field, put 4 men each side then one more in the direction of the spin (leg side for you). Under normal circumstances in 50 over games try someting like slip/gully, point, cover, mid off, mid on, mid wicket, square leg, fine leg "on the 45", and a sweeper at deep backward square leg. Th orthadox square leg might not prove necessary and you could move him onto the off side depending on how you're bowling.

Normally i just have Square leg back, about 10 yards in. If the team's on the defence i'll have cow corner, deep square leg, short midwicket, a man on the 45, mid on and off half way then a cover, a sweeper and a man at backward point.

You cant say which fielding positions are best for an offspinner, it depends on the situation of the game, the bowler, the batsman and the conditions of the pitch.

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Off Spinner (Around the Wicket)
Defensive Field (One Day Field Example)
Four Five Field to Off Spinner Round the Wicket
Off Side: 1st Slip; Cover; Extra Cover; Long Off
On Side: Deep Backward Square; Square Leg; Deep Mid Wicket (forward of Mid Wicket); Mid Wicket; Long On
Line of Attack: Middle Stump
Notes: If you are getting hit, move Cover to Deep Cover and 1st Slip to Cover Point.

Off Spinner (Over the Wicket)
Defensive Field
Five Four Field
Off Side: 1st Slip; Cover Point; Deep Cover; Extra Cover; Long Off
On Side: Deep Square Leg or Deep Backward Square; Deep Mid Wicket (forward of Mid Wicket); Mid Wicket; Long On
Line of Attack: Outside Off Stump
Notes: If bowling at middle, use 45 (Leg Slip) not 1st Slip.

Off Spinner (Over the Wicket)
Attacking Field
Five Four Field
Off Side: 1st Slip; Silly Point; Cover; Short Mid Off; Mid Off
On Side: Deep Square Leg or Deep Backward Square; Deep Mid Wicket (forward of Mid Wicket); Mid Wicket; Long On
Line of Attack: Outside Off Stump
True Pitch

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Rowan I don't think there is a world class [true] off spinner left, they really have been worked out by batsmen due to the direction the ball is turning, Murali don't count because he relies on his Doosra, and his unique arm action.

What I am saying in England at least, and probable in most other countries, off spin is not effective enough anymore to be bothered to bring new offies on, far to predictable.

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Ern

That is an insult to Muralitharan he does not just rely on his unique action and doosra its his acturacy, pressure and turn that gets his wickets. He use the same skills as Warne, accuracy that causes pressure on the batsman also the intimidation factor along with the ability to turn the ball a long way.

What about Harbhajan Singh and Daniel Vettori

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No it's not Murali is not your average off spinner, he probably uses his Doodra more than his off spin, in fact without the [fear] of his Doosra - I doubt he would be half as effective.
Harbhajen Singh IMO is not a great bowler, a very good bowler but not in the same class as Warne, or Muralia come to that.

Also Daniel Vettori is both not a great, (again a very good bowler) - and also not an off spinner, Daniel Vettori is a Slow left-arm orthodox , different altogether.

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Ern

What about saqlain mushtaq? He was a great off spinner and in the same era as Murili and Warne. I hate to say that as an India fan but he is a great off spinner.

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