Cricket Insights with Richard Chee Quee: Leg Cutters. Short Leg. Support Your Bowlers.
Cricket Insights | February 09, 2026
In this Cricket Insight we’re joined by Richard Chee Quee, one of New South Wales cricket’s most respected figures. A stylish right-hand batter, he played 21 first-class and 24 one-day games for NSW, becoming the first Australian of Chinese heritage to play first-class cricket in Australia.
For his club initially Randwick and then Randwick Petersham in NSW Premier Cricket, he scored over 11,000 first-grade runs and 20 centuries, leading with energy, passion, and purpose. Today, Richard continues to give back as a mentor and Cricket Australia Multicultural Ambassador, helping young captains and players grow through connection, inclusion, and a genuine love of the game.
Key Takeway
Good captaincy starts with knowing your bowler and backing their strengths.
The scenario
A medium pace bowler with a strong wrist and an effective off cutter comes on early.
The wicket is slow. The batter prefers hitting straight and does not want to take early risks.
The captain’s thinking
- The bowler does not rely on pace
- Control and subtle movement are the weapons
- The goal is to make the batter play straight and force risk
The field setup
- Mid on and mid off slightly deeper to remove easy straight hits
- Square areas left open on purpose
- Slips in place to reward any deviation
- Gully set square to create doubt, not width
The message to the batter is clear.
If you want runs, you must take a risk.
Why square was left open
On a slow wicket, a medium pace bowler cannot give the batter free pace.
To score square, the batter must force the ball.
That increases the chance of:
- Mistimed shots
- Inside edges
- Pads in front
- Soft catches
When short leg comes into play
Short leg is not about habit.
It is about opportunity.
If a bowler:
- Has a reliable off cutter
- Is confident and in rhythm
- Is bowling early in a spell
Then short leg supports the bowler by:
- Creating pressure
- Rewarding confidence
- Catching mistakes off pad or bat
If there is no chance, remove it.
If there is a chance, use it.
The leadership lesson
- Fields should match the bowler, not a template
- Support your bowler when they are bowling well
- Communicate clearly and adjust quickly
- Set fields that invite mistakes, not safety
For young captains, coaches, and parents
Ask three simple questions:
- What is my bowler good at?
- What does the batter want to do?
- Where does risk naturally appear?
Set your field there.
That is captaincy.
