Ten Best Slip Fielders in Cricket

Fielding is one of the most important aspects of cricket. Fielding in certain positions needs specialisation, and if you talk about fielding in slips, it needs fielders who have fine hand-eye coordination, good catching technique, balance, and above all, concentration.

In this piece, we discuss the ten best slip fielders in cricket. These fielders kept a cool head while fielding in the slips but they varied in their catching techniques. We take a look at the ten best slip fielders in cricket:

 

Mark Waugh (Australia)

One of the finest slip fielders during the 1990s, Mark Waugh looked relaxed and focused while fielding at the slips. The former Australian opener hardly dropped a catch at slips.

He never changed his technique and looked calm even during pressure situations while fielding at slips. Mark Waugh took 181 catches in tests and 108 catches in ODIs while fielding at slips.

 

Rahul Dravid (India)

Arguably one of the greatest batters in world cricket, Rahul Dravid was also excellent while fielding at slips. His cool head enabled him to concentrate at the slips, while his simple technique helped him take catches with ease. The former India skipper took more than 300 catches in all formats while fielding at slips.

 

Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ponting was one of the most successful captains of his generation, but when it came to fielding at slips, the former Australian skipper took some of the most brilliant catches. His athleticism was simply amazing.

He set high standards on the field as far as his fitness and fielding were concerned. He was also a brilliant fielder at backward point. He took 160 catches in ODIs and 196 catches in tests.

 

Mark Taylor (Australia)

Taylor was one of the finest and most agile slip fielders in world cricket during the 1990s. Apart from being a successful skipper and opener, Taylor was a brilliant slip fielder.

The former Australian skipper and opener took some outstanding catches under pressure. It’s never easy for any fielder to stand at slips when the bowler is Shane Warne but Taylor’s balance and focus allowed him to take some of the finest catches. The former left-hander took 157 catches in his test career.

 

Graeme Smith (South Africa)

Smith was strongly built yet the former South African skipper managed to take some brilliant catches at slips. The former left-hand opener was the longest-serving skipper in cricketing history.

It’s not easy to stand at slips when you have pacers like Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, and Morne Morkel in the team, but Smith showcased calmness and concentration at slips. He took 169 catches in tests and 105 catches in ODIs and has the 7th highest catches in test cricket history.

Also Read | The 10 Greatest Test Captains

 

Stephen Fleming (New Zealand)

Apart from being a smart captain and New Zealand’s most successful skipper, Fleming was one of the safest slip fielders for New Zealand. The former left-hander looked calm while fielding at slips, just like his batting.

He showcased concentration and a tidy balance while standing at slips. He took 171 catches in tests and 133 in ODIs.

 

Mohammad Azharuddin (India)

Azharuddin was one of those fielders who could field in any position. The former India skipper looked technically sharp at slips as he took some brilliant catches on both sides and was sharp while taking low catches.

He set high standards on the field when it came to fielding at slips. The former right-hander took 156 catches in ODIs and 105 catches in his test career.

 

Andrew Strauss (England)

Strauss was one of the most successful skippers in England’s cricketing history and one of the finest openers. The former left-hander was also a brilliant fielder at slips, as he took some stunning catches. Strauss took 121 catches in his test career.

His catch during the 2005 Ashes series to get rid of Adam Gilchrist was amazing. Strauss took a brilliant one-handed catch, diving to his left to get rid of the left-hander. You can watch Andrew Strauss’ stunning catch here.

 

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Jayawardene has taken some of the most spectacular catches while standing at slips. He demonstrated brilliant footwork, catching skills, and concentration while fielding at slips.

The former Sri Lankan skipper grabbed the most catches in ODIs (218), while he took the second most catches in tests (205). The former right-hander normally fielded at the 1st or 2nd slip.

 

Carl Hooper (West Indies)

Hooper was hardly credited for his brilliant fielding skills at slips. He made slip-catching look easy. When you have bowlers like Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose in your side, it’s difficult to stand at slips.

But the former West Indian skipper looked calm, and his concentration was head-on while standing at slips. He has taken 115 catches in his test career.

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