Cow Corner and the Slog
Also known as: cow corner, what is cow corner, the slog, slog shot, slogging in cricket, hitting to cow corner
Cow corner is the deep part of the field between deep midwicket and long-on. For a right-hander it sits on the leg side. Batters hit there with a slog: a big, cross-bat swing across the line of the ball. Captains often leave it empty, so a slog there can bring easy boundaries.
The name is an old joke. Classic batters played straight or through the off side. Few fielders were placed in the deep leg side gap, so it was said only cows grazed there. The name stuck for the area between deep midwicket and long-on.
The slog is a swing across the line, usually from a fairly open position. The batter clears the front leg and swings hard to the leg side. It suits balls on a full length or slightly short of it, close to the stumps. It is also a natural shot against spin when the batter can get to the pitch of the ball.
The risk is that the bat crosses the line of the ball. A ball that keeps low or moves can beat the bat and hit the stumps or pad. A mistimed slog often goes high to midwicket or long-on. Clean slogging needs a still head, a stable base and good bat speed. In limited-overs cricket captains often post a fielder at cow corner once a batter shows the shot.
Tips by skill level
Learn to hit straight first. Then practise the slog against full balls in line with the stumps.
Watch the field before each ball. If cow corner is empty and the ball is full on the stumps, commit fully to the swing.
Example
With six needed off the last over, the batter clears his front leg and swings the full ball over cow corner. Nobody is fielding there, and it goes for six.
Why it matters
Knowing the field's empty zones helps you choose shots. Cow corner is often the safest place to hit a big shot when the field is set straight.
Common mistakes
- Slogging balls that are wide of off stump
- Taking the eye off the ball to look at the boundary
- Slogging against a ball that is moving or keeping low
- Ignoring a fielder who has just been moved to cow corner
Frequently asked questions
What is cow corner in cricket?
It is the deep leg-side area between deep midwicket and long-on. It is often left empty, so batters aim big hits there.
What is a slog in cricket?
A slog is a big cross-bat swing, usually to the leg side. Batters use it to hit full balls on the stumps for four or six.
Related terms
- Power Hitting (Six Hitting)Power hitting comes from a stable base, a still head and fast bat speed through the ball, not from swinging harder with the arms. Read the length early and clear your front leg if you need room. Swing through the line with a full face and full extension.
- Clearing the Front Leg (Making Room)Clearing the front leg means moving your front foot out of the way, usually towards the leg side, to let your arms swing freely through the ball. Making room means stepping away from the line of a ball on the stumps to hit it through the off side. Both create space for a full swing. Both also leave more of your stumps exposed.
- Slog SweepThe slog sweep is a powerful, high-risk batting stroke where the batter sweeps a short-pitched or good-length ball over deep mid-wicket, aiming to hit it out of the ground for six.
- Death OversThe death overs are the final overs of a limited-overs innings, usually overs 17–20 in T20 or 41–50 in one-day cricket. Batters chase runs and bowlers try to limit them.
- Finding Gaps in the FieldTo find gaps, look at the field before every ball and pick the space you will aim for. Then use the angle of the bat face and soft or firm hands to place the ball there. Hit along the ground into the space between fielders and run hard for the single.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.