In cricket, "silly point" is a fielding position where a fielder stands close enough to the batsman to be right in the middle of the action. The position puts the fielder at risk for being hit by the ball or bat. The fielder on silly point is in the proximity of wicket on the off-side. The distance of the position from the batsman is approximately three to five yards (2.7 to 4.5 metres). "Silly point" is also used to refer to the fielder in said position.
Origin of the Term "Silly Point"
The word "silly" is from the Middle English "seely," which denotes "happy". The late Middle English, "silly" means feeble, defenseless, or deserving sympathy. Given the fact that the silly point fielder is in the line of fire so to speak, the usage of the word "silly" in this sense is self-explanatory.
"Silly" Positions of the Field in Cricket
There are other vulnerable spots in the field where the batsman's swing or the ball's delivery could potentially hit the fielder. These are the "Silly Mid-Off" and the "Silly Mid-On". The Silly Mid-Off position is on the off-side of the batsman near the wicket, while the Silly Mid-On is on the on-side of the batsman.
