The original aim of fielding at third man is to provide damage control during overs. Positioning as the third man behind the wicketkeeper at the off-side gives fielders an ability to receive balls from batting plays at a unique angle.
Batting plays 45 degrees around on the boundary to the wicket will usually move towards this area. The third man covers a large area and mainly aims to receive anything that doesn’t get caught in the Gully and Slip areas. Vertical balls travelling at pace towards the point section may give third man fielders a chance to save runs.
Why is the Position Called Third Man?
The third man position in cricket comes from the game’s early practice. Three cricketers used to play close to the batter – a bowler, a wicketkeeper, and a fielder. Many early references referred to a fielder as the “third man”. The name stuck with players in this fielding position even after cricket evolved constantly for decades.
Players positioned on the boundary behind a wicketkeeper still get the “third man” tag in modern cricket circles. However, modern-day application of fielding strategy for players in this position continue to change.
Modern Applications of Third Man to Strategy
Test strategy
Major Test teams usually forgo third man fielders in their final lineup. Omitting the third man gives Test sides a greater chance to attack rather than defend. Test teams may decide to bring in their third man to the Short or Long Stop areas to provide faster responses to balls.
Ponting’s Influence
Ricky Ponting’s captaincy of the Australian cricket team (2004 – 2011) signalled a dynamic approach to third man fielding for other sides to adopt. The Aussie adopted a strategy that saw third man cricketers change based on the characteristics of batters they face in each innings.
Ponting decided to go for finer or squarer third man fielders for traditional batsmen or aggressive hitters respectively. His unique approach to applying third man fielding triggered lots of ideas many teams use in the modern game.
Dhoni’s unique third man strategy
India’s MS Dhoni developed a cult following among fans throughout his international career. Fans continue to appreciate the talismanic player’s ability and undeniable tactical knowledge in player positioning.
Dhoni managed to create a third man strategy that saw different fielders take up roles on the field according to match situations. The veteran opted for reliable catches or quick fielders based on game requirements across formats as team captain. Many present-day cricket captains draw inspiration from Dhoni’s tactical prowess while building their fielding lineups.
Third man and T20 impact
T20 cricket has shown how dramatic improvements are possible in match situations by tweaking the third man position. Field-setting strategies and modern batting approaches has seen the growing preference among teams to field third man fielders in response to quick-fire batting plays.
What Factors Can Affect Third Man Cricketers in Match Situations?
Batters’ orientation
Batsmen aiming to swing in the opposite direction to third man fielders eliminates any potential response from this position. However, players with batting orientation to swing balls towards the Gully and Slip regions fall within the third man’s range of action.
Weather
Slippery grounds caused by wet weather can affect the third man’s speed and reach.
Ground contour and dimensions
Third man fielders generally have no issues with their position on flat grounds. However, not all cricket pitches offer flat surfaces throughout its entire spread. Contouring around the third man area or slightly-sloped grounds may interfere with a fielder’s ability to receive balls in this position.
The length and width of a cricket pitch also influences how a third man responds to balls in match situations. Having more ground to cover is an advantage as opposed to tight spaces.
Ways to Improve Third Man Impact as a Newbie
Develop basic technique
Start learning basic catching techniques while working on your concentration and agility. Engage finger control, hand-eye coordination, knee movements, stance, and other vital elements for a good catch.
Improve reflex throws
Returning near-instant throws is a vital skill to learn before engaging the third man fielding position. Aim to work on your throwing ability while strengthening your positioning at a side-on stance to improve balance.
Engage purpose-filled practice
Focus on building your overall fielding ability while training to fill a third man position. Dedicate your training sessions to catching direct hits, low balls, and high strikes. Working on your overall abilities will improve chances of better game-reading and higher catch rates as a third man.
