Slip Fielding Positions: First, Second, Third Slip and the Slip Cordon
The slip cordon is the cluster of fielders positioned behind the batsman on the off side — waiting for edges off the bat. First, second, and third slip are the most important catching positions in Test cricket. This guide covers why slip fielding is technically demanding, how slips are positioned, and the great slip catchers of cricket history.
The slip cordon consists of fielders positioned behind the batsman on the off side, in an arc from the wicketkeeper outward. First slip stands immediately to the keeper's right (from behind the stumps looking down the pitch); second slip is further right; third slip further again; and gully is positioned wider and closer to square. The purpose: catches the outside edge of the bat when the ball moves away from the right-handed batsman — the ball deflects off the outside edge at 90-120 degrees from the bat face, flying behind the batsman toward the off side. Slips do not need to move far — they stand in the trajectory of likely edges.
Position Adjustments
Captains adjust slip positions based on: the ball condition (new ball = more slip fielders; old ball = fewer slips, more outfield fielders); the batsman's style (a batsman who drives hard off the front foot has different edge trajectories than a batsman who plays tentatively with the outside edge); and the bowler's type (an away-swinger creates more off-side edges, requiring more slips; an in-swinger creates more leg-side dismissals, requiring leg-slip positions). A full swing at the ball typically sends the edge faster and flatter; a defensive push sends the edge slower and at a steeper angle (closer to the ground).
First Slip vs Second Slip
First slip (immediately to the keeper's right) takes most catches: the keeper takes the ball first, and edges that deflect slightly less widely arrive at first slip. Second slip stands wider and slightly further back — edges from batsmen playing harder shots (the ball travels faster to second slip). Third slip is even wider — taking the wider edges and diving catches. The gully (90 degrees from the batsman, almost square on the off side) takes flat, firm cuts that would travel past the slip cordon entirely. Modern limited-overs cricket rarely uses more than 1-2 slips (only in the powerplay); Test cricket routinely uses 3-4 slips in the first session with the new ball.
Great Slip Catchers
Cricket's greatest slip fielders: Rahul Dravid — 210 catches in Tests (the most by any non-wicketkeeper, record as of his retirement); Mark Taylor — 157 catches in Tests; Steve Smith — considered by many the finest current slip catcher (exceptional anticipation and soft hands); Greg Chappell — one of the greatest slip catchers of the 1970s-80s; Jonty Rhodes — known primarily for ground fielding but also exceptional at short slip; and Jacques Kallis — 200 catches in Tests across all positions including slip, making him arguably the most rounded fielder and all-rounder in cricket history.
Frequently asked questions
What is first slip in cricket?
First slip is a fielding position in cricket: the fielder stands immediately to the wicketkeeper's right (from behind the stumps perspective) on the off side, waiting for catches off outside edges. It is the primary catching position in Test cricket when the ball is new and moving — the wicketkeeper and first slip often take the majority of catches in a seam bowling spell. First slip must have good reflexes, soft hands (to absorb the ball on arrival), and the ability to read the edge trajectory before the ball arrives.
Who has taken the most catches in Test cricket?
Mark Boucher (South Africa, wicketkeeper) holds the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in Tests (555). Among non-wicketkeepers (fielders), Rahul Dravid (India) holds the record for most catches in Tests: 210 catches in 164 Tests. The most catches by any player including wicketkeeping: Adam Gilchrist (379 dismissals as keeper) and MS Dhoni (294 dismissals as keeper). Dravid's 210 outfield catches — taken primarily at slip — is the record that stands for non-keeping fielders. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) has 200 catches across slip and outfield positions in Tests.
What is gully in cricket?
Gully is a fielding position in cricket — standing wider than the slip cordon (approximately 45 degrees to the right of the batsman from behind the wicket perspective), and closer to the batsman than the slips (about 15-20 yards). Gully takes: hard cuts off short-pitched deliveries that travel wider than third slip; inside-out drives from batsmen playing through the off side; and diving catches off firm edges that beat the slip cordon. Gully requires different skills from slip: the ball arrives more laterally (hit through the covers rather than deflected at 90 degrees), requiring faster lateral movement and judgement of the cut shot direction.