Slog Sweep
Also known as: slog-sweep, aggressive sweep
The 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.
It is a variant of the sweep but with maximum force and a much higher trajectory. The batter gets low, generates a long arc of the bat, and swings hard across the line, launching the ball over the leg-side boundary. Unlike the controlled sweep, the slog sweep sacrifices precision for power and is often used in the final overs of a limited-overs match when runs are needed quickly. It carries a significant risk of miscuing to mid-on or mid-wicket or picking out the deep fielder.
Get your knee down early. This means you need to be in a low, stable position before the ball arrives. As a result, you can swing fully through and up.
Identify the exact ball length that gives you the best chance of clearing the boundary with this stroke and only commit to it when the delivery matches that window.
Example
With ten needed off the last over, the batter slog-sweeps a rank long-hop from the spinner over the deep mid-wicket rope for six.
Why it matters
The slog sweep is a match-winning stroke in T20 cricket. SwingVantage's cricket analysis (in development) will evaluate bat speed, swing arc, and foot position so batters can maximise power without sacrificing safety.
How it shows up on video
Effective execution shows the batter getting very low with a deep knee bend, generating a long bat arc through the ball. This makes contact under the equator of the ball to keep it airborne, and following through high toward the boundary. A poor slog sweep reveals the batter staying upright, chopping down on the ball, and hitting it straight to mid-on or finding only a top edge.
Common mistakes
- Not getting low enough at address, restricting the upward swing arc needed to clear the boundary
- Playing the stroke against a ball that is too full, bringing LBW and bowled risks into play
- Making contact with a closed bat face, driving the ball into the ground rather than over the rope
- Committing to the slog sweep before picking up the length, leaving the batter stranded if the ball is short
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
SwingVantage cricket analysis (currently in development) will measure bat-arc height, contact point height relative to the ball, and projected carry distance to evaluate whether the slog sweep has sufficient elevation to clear the boundary.
Related terms
- Sweep ShotThe sweep is a cross-bat shot played on one knee to a (usually spinning) good-length ball, sweeping it around to the leg side to counter turn and length.
- Reverse SweepThe reverse sweep is an attacking stroke where the batter kneels on the front knee and sweeps the ball to the off side. This means the mirror image of the conventional sweep, played in the opposite direction.
- T20 FormatT20 (Twenty20) cricket is the shortest mainstream format of the game. This means each side bats for a maximum of 20 overs. This means producing fast-paced, high-scoring matches typically completed in under three hours.
Put this into your swing
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