Slip Cordon in Cricket
What the slip cordon is, how slips and gully are positioned, when captains set a full cordon, and the skills required to be an elite slip fielder.
What Is the Slip Cordon?
The slip cordon is a collection of fielders positioned on the off side behind the batter, alongside and beyond the wicketkeeper. They are positioned to catch edges — deflections off the bat's outside edge when the batter tries to drive or defend an outswing or seam delivery. In Test cricket, the slip cordon is the primary catching arc.
Positions in the Cordon
- Wicketkeeper: directly behind the stumps
- First slip: immediately beside the keeper, catching thin edges
- Second slip: wider and slightly deeper than first slip
- Third slip: wider still, catching thicker edges and gully-area drives
- Gully: squarer than third slip, catching thick edges and cut shots
When Captains Set a Full Cordon
Captains deploy a full slip cordon (3+ slips + gully) when: the ball is swinging or seaming, the pitch is offering lateral movement, a top-order batter is new to the crease, or the bowling is fast and testing the outside edge. When the ball is old and spin is dominant, the cordon is typically reduced.
Skills of a Slip Fielder
- Soft hands — catching the ball rather than tensing and spilling it
- Reactions — a fast edge arrives in 0.1–0.2 seconds at the keeper end
- Concentration — standing in the cordon for potentially hundreds of balls between chances
- Low starting position — better reaction time by crouching and staying mobile
- Communication — coordinating with neighbouring slips to avoid collisions on fly balls
Famous Slip Fielders
Rahul Dravid (India) was widely considered the safest slip catcher of his generation. Mark Taylor (Australia) held a record 157 catches at slip during his career. Greeme Smith (South Africa) and AB de Villiers were also exceptional in the cordon. England's Ian Botham held many slip catches off Bob Willis.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between first slip and gully?
First slip stands directly beside the wicketkeeper and catches thin outside edges. Gully stands wider and squarer — more level with the batter — and catches thicker edges, cut shots, and balls deflecting wider than third slip.
Can the wicketkeeper bat?
Yes. The wicketkeeper is a member of the batting order, typically placed between positions 6 and 8. Several wicketkeeper-batters are specialist batters as well — Adam Gilchrist, MS Dhoni, and Jos Buttler are notable examples.