Fly Slip in Cricket Explained
What a fly slip is, how it differs from a regular slip, and the unusual catching role it plays behind the wicket.
What Is a Fly Slip?
A fly slip is an unusual fielding position set at a similar angle to gully or third slip but stationed considerably further from the bat — typically 25–35 metres away, well outside the inner ring. Unlike regular slip positions (which are close catching positions 3–8 metres from the bat), a fly slip is positioned to catch edges that carry further in the air without losing pace, particularly on surfaces with extra pace and bounce.
Why Is It Called 'Fly' Slip?
The 'fly' in fly slip refers to the ball flying through rather than carrying to close catchers. On very hard, bouncy pitches — such as those at Perth or Centurion — edges off fast bowling can carry flat and fast well past the close catching zone. A regular slip might miss such a chance entirely because the ball arrives too fast and carries over their heads. A fly slip, stationed deeper, intercepts exactly these hard, flat-carrying edges.
Fly Slip vs Third Slip vs Gully
Third slip is 4–7 metres from the bat, set for a wide edge. Gully is 10–18 metres from the bat, set for thick edges and cuts. Fly slip is 25–35 metres away, set for edges that carry flat and fast and would land just behind a regular gully. The three positions together — third slip, gully, fly slip — form a deep triangle on the off side behind square that covers the entire range of edge carry on a fast bouncy pitch.
How Common Is It?
Fly slip is a niche setting rarely seen even in professional cricket. It tends to appear in the first session of Test matches at the fastest venues, particularly in Perth, Centurion, and Antigua. Broadcast commentators often flag it as a curiosity because it contradicts the usual assumption that slip fielders must be close to the bat.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fly slip the same as a deep third slip?
Effectively yes — the two terms describe the same concept. Deep third slip (or fly slip) is a catching position at gully/third-slip angles but stationed 25–35 metres from the bat rather than 4–8 metres.
Does a fly slip require any special skill?
Speed and safe hands. The ball arrives fast and flat from a long distance, so the fielder must read the edge early and take the ball at full stretch if necessary.
When was fly slip last prominently seen?
Australian Test sides of the 1990s and 2000s occasionally used a variation in Perth. South Africa have deployed it at Centurion against sides unaccustomed to the bounce.