Cricket has a range of fielding positions which are tactically placed by the captain of the fielding side. Based on specific field positions, these field setups can be attacking, neutral or defensive. Apart from conventional field positions, there are lesser-known and rarely used field positions. One such position is called straight hit.
As the name suggests, the straight hit position is right behind the bowler at the boundary. The fielder at straight hit is meant to field a shot played straight back past the bowler. However, this field position is often disputed and is controversial.
The fielder at straight hit is right in front of the sight screen. The sight screen is black or white depending on the format of the game. In limited overs cricket, since the ball is white, the sight screen is black. In test cricket, since the ball is red, the sight screen is white. The main idea is to have a contrasting color combination so that batters can better see the incoming ball.
Even the slightest movement by groundsmen near the sight screen can disturb a batter’s vision whose focus is on the bowler’s stride and release arm. It’s a common sight for batters to withdraw from their stance and break the run-up of the bowler because of a hinderance behind the sight screen. Thus, to imagine having a fielder right behind the bowler is deemed controversial.
If a straight hit is positioned, then that fielder has to be absolutely stagnant and still until the ball is released from the bowler’s arm. The straight hit is a legal position, but has received scrutiny from many cricket pundits.
