The Slog Sweep in Cricket: Aerial Power on the Leg Side
The slog sweep is an aggressive aerial version of the sweep shot aimed at clearing the leg-side boundary. Learn when to play it, the risks involved, and how top batters execute it.
What Is the Slog Sweep?
The slog sweep is an aerial, powerfully hit version of the standard sweep shot. Rather than keeping the ball along the ground toward square leg, the batter aims to clear the leg-side boundary — usually targeting mid-wicket or the deep square leg boundary. It is one of the key attacking shots against spin bowling in T20 and ODI cricket.
How It Differs from the Standard Sweep
The standard sweep keeps the ball on the ground for a safe single or two. The slog sweep uses a more upright and powerful swing with greater follow-through to generate loft and distance. The batter typically does not kneel as low and aims to hit through the ball rather than just redirect it.
Why the Slog Sweep Is Effective
Against leg-spinners bowling into the footmarks or off-spinners around the wicket, the slog sweep allows the batter to attack using the turn — flicking the ball with the spin toward the boundary. It also forces the fielding captain to guard the long-on and deep mid-wicket boundary, potentially opening gaps elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Which batters are known for the slog sweep?
MS Dhoni, Eoin Morgan, and Kieron Pollard are celebrated slog-sweep exponents. Morgan in particular made the slog sweep against off-spin a feature of England's successful T20 and ODI batting approach.
Can the slog sweep result in a top edge?
Yes. Mistiming the slog sweep — particularly against a quicker ball from a spinner — sends the ball high in the air behind the wicketkeeper or to fine leg, where fielders can be placed specifically to catch these edges.