Ever since the advent of cricket, slip cordon is one of the most traditional and important fielding positions in the game. The name ‘slip’ is supposedly derived from the time when the fielders started standing next to the wicket-keeper in anticipation of any slip (mistake) from the batsman. Whether it’s a Test match, an ODI or even a T20, slip fielders can always be seen stationed during the passages of play.

One of the most important wicket-fetching regions is an attacking position where the fielding side rather than saving runs, aims to force an error from the batsman at the crease. While it has served as a great medium to get consistent breakthroughs in the game, the placement of slips (floating slip) and the number of fielders have also left the fans and experts in splits in the past.

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Depending on the format and, more importantly, the situation in the game, a fielding side is generally seen deploying three or four fielders in the slip cordon. But, with the option of having as much as nine fielders in the slip cordon, there have been occasions when the teams have been seen using more than just four players in the said position.

Another such example was on display in a match of European Championship Cricket 2021. England and Finland were playing against each other. England came out to bat first and the openers were welcomed with eight fielders in slip and one in the leg slip. The commentators were taken by surprise after seeing this type of field setting in a limited-overs game.

Watch the video here;

Incredible field set – 8 slips and 1 leg slip.pic.twitter.com/5R8XzxPKzn

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 30, 2021

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There have been many such instances in international cricket in the past. However, this scene is quite rare these days after the cricketing world has been swept away by T20 cricket, where teams focus to put fielders near the boundary ropes.