Slip Cordon Explained — First Slip, Second Slip, Gully & Why They Matter

The slip cordon is a line of fielders positioned behind the batter on the off side, angled to catch edges off the bat. Slips are the most important catching positions in cricket: the vast majority of wickets in Test match cricket involve either a slip catch or a catch to the wicketkeeper. Understanding the slip cordon tells you a lot about the captain's tactics and the conditions of play.

First slip

First slip stands closest to the wicketkeeper, angled slightly wider. When a batter edges a delivery that the keeper cannot reach — typically a wide edge — first slip is the primary catcher. First slip must react to both thick edges (harder and faster) and thin edges (slower, requiring quick adjustment). It is usually occupied by the best slip fielder in the team.

Second slip and third slip

Second slip stands wider than first slip, third slip wider still. They are positioned to catch edges that are wider and lower than those that go to first slip. A three-slip cordon is common in Test cricket when the ball is swinging or seaming significantly. The captain places extra slips when there is a genuine chance of edge-and-caught dismissals — typically with a new ball or when the pitch is offering movement.

Gully

Gully stands at roughly 45 degrees behind square on the off side, wider than the slip cordon. It catches deflections off the edge when the bat is not fully extended — a cut shot that is not timed perfectly, for example. Gully is a different catching skill from slip: the ball arrives at a different angle and speed, often with more pace from a cut or a glide.

When captains set a slip cordon

In T20 cricket, slips are rarely used — batters take on bowlers and edges that go through the gap are worth four runs. In Tests and ODIs with the new ball, captains typically set at least one or two slips, especially when the conditions assist swing or seam. As the innings progresses and the ball gets older, captains gradually reduce the slip cordon and move fielders to the boundary or into attacking off-side positions.

• First slip: closest to the keeper, catches wide edges
• Second/third slip: progressively wider, for wider or lower edges
• Gully: wider still, positioned for cut-shot deflections
• Leg slip: a single fielder on the leg side behind square — less common but set for balls expected to glance off the leg side
• More slips = captain expecting ball movement; fewer slips = containing the run rate