I’m a left arm orthodox bowler and like to attack the off stump. Should I have a 5/4 field with 5 on the off side or 5 on the leg side?

Hey Tim
It’s great you like to attack the off stump to right handers as it means you bring into play dismissals on the inside and outside edge of the bat.
If the ball slides on, you bring into play bowled, LBW and an inside edge to a potential short leg. If the ball turns away from the right-handed batter, you bring into play a catch behind to the wicket keeper or first slip and a stumping opportunity.
It’s important you have your fielders in the right positions in front of the batters’ eyes. You want them to feel crowded so on the offside I’d recommend mid-off, short cover, extra cover, point and first slip.
On the leg side mid-on, a shortish mid-wicket, perhaps a deep square leg (if you want some protection to sweep shots and short balls) and a short fine leg.
You want the batter to have eyes on the gap between shortish mid-wicket and deep square. If they’re doing so and you’re consistently bowling the off stump line then they’re going to have to play across the line of the ball which is exactly what you want.
If you don’t want the protection then you can bring deep square leg into a squarer mid-wicket positioned 10 or so yards behind and on the right shoulder of the short mid-wicket or bring them into a short leg.
If again you’re consistently bowling a fuller length and on off stump, you’re asking the batter to hit through the field or tempting them to go over the top.
So, for me it’d be the 5/4 field with 5 on the offside. Best of luck.

Hi Tim
I am an ex left arm orthodox spin bowler (too old now) and I agree with most of what Paul Ryan says. Generally as a finger spinner you will come on to bowl against set batsmen and often with a ball that is far from new. Sometimes a batsman will have a rush of blood just because you are a spin bowler and gift you an early wicket but most times you have to strangle them for runs and then the wickets come. Most definitely start with 5 on the off side. A slip, backward point, cover point, shortish cover and mid off saving a single. On the on side I would start with a fine leg saving one at about 45 degrees, a forward square leg, mid wicket and mid on all saving one. You want bring the batsman forward most of the time and with variations in pace, angle and spin create a situation where the batsman is more worried about losing his wicket than scoring runs. The only way they can score is by playing a good shot through the field or risk hitting over the top.
I would always have a backward point not a square point. He has more chance of fielding cut shots and often attempted wild hits to cow corner will slice off the bat and give a catch to backward point. This is a starting field for normal conditions. Mid on and mid off can be moved back if needed as well as mid wicket if the batsmen are getting on top.

Hi Tim…

I would agree with the above comments from Paul and Geoff.

Would add.

Although it is great to have a starting or set plan.

Conditions play a huge role. Ball spinning a lot? Slow wicket? 5/4 Off side field, set squarer.

Ball not spinning a lot? Quicker wicket. 4/5 Leg side field, set straighter.

The beauty of spin is in setting good fields to whats happening on the field. Not just rocking up with a great set plan.

Your adaptability and creativeness in the moment to what is… thats where the magic happens.

If you are on top, just a standard circle field and have the catching fielders in places to reflect your better wicket taking deliveries. If you have a good toppy, then a batpad and shortcover, perhaps even a shortish gully. If you are quick through the air then your short fine leg, first slip could be a little deeper. If you have a flipper style ball then let the keeper and slips know about it. If the battter is on top then use their best shots against them with pace, width and length variations. Always worth trying your variation balls on consecutive deliveries. Try and flight the ball above their eyeline so they have to look up slightly and get enough revs on it to land in good areas.