Slip vs Gully: Different Positions for Different Edge Types
Slips and gully are both behind the batsman on the off side, but they catch different types of edges from different deliveries. This article explains the angle and distance differences between slip and gully, and how captains decide which to use in specific bowling situations.
The Angular Difference Between Slip and Gully
Slip and gully positions are both in the off-side catching cordon but at different angles from the pitch: first slip is positioned directly beside and slightly behind the wicketkeeper — at an angle of approximately 20-30 degrees from the straight line of the pitch; second slip is slightly wider than first, at 30-45 degrees; gully is significantly wider — approximately 45-60 degrees from the pitch, roughly square of the wicket on the off side; and the angle difference determines which type of edge goes to each position: straight edges (from a straight defensive bat, where the outside edge deflects forward and slightly to the off side) go to the slip cordon; thick edges (from a cross-bat shot like the cut, where the ball deflects at a wider angle) go to gully. The thickness of the edge and the angle of the bat at contact determines whether the catch goes to slip or gully.
When Gully Is More Useful Than Slip
The captain chooses gully over slip in specific bowling situations: when the bowler is bowling the bouncer or short-pitched delivery (a ball that rises steeply and the batsman attempts to cut or fend — the resulting edge goes wider and at a higher angle than a good-length edge, making gully more appropriate than a straight slip); when the pitch is not assisting forward defensive play (if the pitch is flat and batsmen are playing through the off side with cross-bat shots rather than defensive forward prods, the edge type changes from straight to wider — gully captures the wider cross-bat edge); and when facing a specific batsman who predominantly plays cut shots and square drives (their edge type is inherently wider than a defensive batsman's edge). A captain who removes slips and posts gully is signalling that the expected edge type is wider rather than straight — a significant tactical indicator for the batting team.
Using Both Slip and Gully Together
In the most aggressive bowling configurations, both slip and gully are used simultaneously: a field with 2 slips and gully provides catching coverage across the full arc of the outside edge — from the straight edge (slips) through the wide angle (gully); this configuration is most commonly used: in Test cricket with the new ball swinging (outswing produces straight edges to slips; the occasional delivery that seams away at a wider angle produces gully catches); against batsmen who play both defensive straight-bat shots and attacking cut shots (different deliveries in the same over may produce edges at different angles); and in overcast conditions where both swing and seam create unpredictable edge trajectories that require coverage at multiple angles. The combined slip-plus-gully field is the maximum catching investment — it significantly reduces the leg-side and mid-pitch fielding coverage in exchange for comprehensive off-side catching coverage.
Frequently asked questions
How far behind the stumps does gully typically stand?
Gully's depth behind the stumps varies based on the bowler's pace and the pitch: against very fast bowling (140+ km/h), gully stands further back — 8-12 metres behind the batsman's crease — because the ball reaches gully faster and the fielder needs more time to react; against medium-pace or spin, gully stands closer — 4-7 metres behind the crease — because the ball arrives more slowly at gully's angle and the fielder has more time to react from a closer position; and against bowlers who produce a lot of shoulder-height or higher edges from the cut shot (from deliveries that bounce steep), gully stands deeper to allow the ball to descend from its peak height before reaching the fielding position. The exact depth is a pre-over conversation between the captain and the gully fielder, adjusted based on the specific bowler and the conditions on the day.
Is gully a good position for a specialist catcher or does it require all-round athleticism?
Gully requires specific athletic qualities: fast reaction speed to the left and right (edges through gully come at sharp lateral angles from the cut shot's wide deflection — the fielder must move laterally quickly from a stationary ready position); high-trajectory catching (some gully catches arrive at above-head height from thick edges off steep bouncing deliveries — the fielder must catch high from a low ready position); and diving capability (some edges just wide of gully require a full-extension dive to reach — athletic diving ability on both sides is valuable). Gully is generally considered a position for athletic fielders with fast reflexes rather than pure specialist catchers — unlike the slip cordon where the primary skill is hands-together catching, gully requires more movement before the catch. Elite gully fielders combine reaction speed, lateral athleticism, and high-ball catching technique.
Why do batting teams often hit to gully intentionally?
Batting teams rarely hit to gully intentionally — the gully position catches the outside edge from shots aimed elsewhere: a cut shot is aimed toward point or cover point (the off-side boundary region); if the cut is mistimed or the ball bounces higher than expected, the ball goes to gully rather than to the intended boundary; and square drives that catch the outside edge rather than the middle of the bat similarly deflect to gully at the unexpected angle. The 'intentional gully hit' would be a reverse shot of some kind — the upper-cut (hitting a short rising ball backward over gully for six) is the one shot where the batsman aims specifically above gully rather than through it. The upper-cut is considered an unorthodox attacking shot against short-pitched fast bowling — the ball sails over gully's head for six when well-executed.