Slider (Wrist Spinner's Straight One)
Also known as: slider in cricket, cricket slider, slider delivery, leg spinner slider, wrist spinner slider, the slider ball
In cricket, a slider is a wrist spinner's ball that slides straight on instead of turning, with a little backspin. It looks like a leg-break from the hand but skids through and holds its line. Batters playing for turn are beaten on the inside or trapped LBW.
A leg-spinner's stock ball turns from leg to off. The slider comes out of a similar action but with the wrist turned so the ball has backspin and little sideways spin. It goes on with the arm, often a touch quicker and flatter.
It is easier to bowl than the flipper, which also skids. Many wrist spinners use the slider as their main straight ball. It is especially useful against batters who play for the turn or use the sweep.
To play it, play straight. Keep the bat close to the pad and aim to hit down the ground, not across the line. Watch for a flatter trajectory and a different seam angle at release. If you cannot read it, play the line of the stumps. That way the ball that turns and the ball that slides both hit the bat.
Tips by skill level
Against leg-spin, aim to play straight down the ground. That covers the leg-break and the straight one.
Watch the wrist at release. A wrist turned more towards the batter with a flatter flight often means the slider.
Example
The leg-spinner bowls a slider at middle stump. The batter plays for the leg-break outside off. The ball holds its line and hits the front pad in front of the stumps.
Why it matters
Wrist spinners need a straight ball to make the turn dangerous. Picking the slider is half of playing leg-spin well.
Common mistakes
- Playing outside the line expecting turn
- Sweeping a slider that skids low on the stumps
- Pushing at it with the bat away from the pad
Frequently asked questions
What is a slider in cricket?
It is a wrist spinner's ball that slides on straight instead of turning. It looks like a leg-break but holds its line and skids through.
What is the difference between a slider and a flipper?
Both skid on. The flipper is squeezed out of the front of the hand with strong backspin. The slider comes out of the normal action with less turn.
Related terms
- Leg-SpinLeg-spin is spin bowling where a right-arm bowler spins the ball from leg to off: away from a right-handed batter, or left to right as that batter sees it. The bowler's wrist rotation provides the spin.
- Flipper (Leg-Spinner's Skidder)A flipper is a leg-spinner's variation squeezed out with backspin, so it stays low and skids through quicker than expected. It is usually a little shorter. Batters go back to cut or pull it, then get beaten by the low skid and bowled or trapped LBW.
- Top-SpinnerA top-spinner is a spin delivery with forward overspin, so it dips in the air and bounces higher than the batter expects. It turns very little sideways. Wrist spinners use it to beat batters on length, causing top edges, LBWs and catches to close fielders.
- GooglyA googly is a leg-spinner's wrist-spin delivery that turns the opposite way to the stock ball, toward a right-hander. An identical action disguises it.
- Playing Spin BowlingTo play spin bowling, watch the bowler's hand to read which way the ball will turn and pick up the length early. Be decisive with your feet. Go right forward to smother the spin at the pitch, or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of your pad and score by playing with the turn.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.