While fielding is a separate skill set, slip-fielding is one sub-category of this skill that requires more practice and hard work. Since a slip fielder has to catch the outside edges that fly quickly, in terms of reflexes and hand-eye coordination, all slip fielders must be highly competent. Hence, we have seen teams investing in specialists for this role.
In this article, we take a look at a strong well-balanced XI of cricketers who are also exceptional slip fielders. Apart from being on point with their primary skill, these cricketers also had an impact on the field by catching everything that flew of the edge of a bat.
Openers: Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh
Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh will open the batting for this XI of great slip fielders. Both the Aussies, apart from their main job as an opener, were extremely qualified on the field. With a safe pair of hands, they held on to most of their catches. Hence, they are considered as one of the best slip fielders in the history of the game. Mark Waugh is also one of the best batsmen to have played for Australia. Especially in ODIs, he is one of the highest run-scorers for the country.
Middle-Order: Ricky Ponting (C), Rahul Dravid (WK), and Mahela Jayawardene
Well, let alone their skills as in slip-fielding, this trio operating as a batting attack alone will ensure a victory for the team. Nevertheless, when we talk about their skills as a fielder next to the wicket-keeper, these three were too good.
Dravid, Ponting, and Mahela have got a total of 334, 364 and 440 international catches respectively. While most of Ponting’s slip catches occurred when the fast bowlers were bowling, for Dravid and Mahela, they had plenty of outside edges to take when Kumble and Muralitharan were operating.
All-Rounders: Jacques Kallis and Ben Stokes
At the moment, Jacques Kallis has the fourth-highest number of international catches in history. The South African all-rounder took a total of 338 catches in 519 games. A terrific sportsman, Kallis usually stood at the slips and was one of the safest pair of hands for his country. Hence, he features in this XI.
On the other hand, Ben Stokes is a relatively newer entry to this list. We have seen him miss many chances but when it comes to pulling off the difficult ones, the Englishman does it with ease. Of course, he still has a long way to go in the charts, but he is getting there.
Bowlers: Shane Warne, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee and James Anderson
It is usually the batsmen who are given the role of a slip fielder. However, in the history of the game, we have also seen plenty of bowlers who have taken this responsibility. A few of them have also done well in the task.
Out of this list, Shane Warne stands at the top of the list. He is one of the highest catch-takers amongst the bowlers. Daniel Vettori also stood at the slips and has pulled off some famous catches. He will accompany Warne in the spin attack of this XI.
In the pace department, we have Tim Southee and James Anderson, both of whom are still active in the game. While Anderson is one of the specialists in the slip cordon, Tim Southee has also enjoyed success in this position.
