Sliding stop vs conventional 'pull back' stop fielding

Time between stopping and releasing the ball

Fielders have to be agile and quick in throwing the ball back

There’s one more aspect that tilts the balance in favour of sliding stops and it’s a justified one. At the time of pull-backs, the fielder, after pulling back the ball, faces the boundary ropes. In this scenario he is looking at the opposite direction of the ball.

Therefore, after stopping the ball, he has to turn back, run towards the ball, pick it up and then throw it at the desired end. Sliding stops reduce the time between stopping the ball and releasing it thereafter.

While sliding and stopping, the fielder faces the direction of the ball and doesn’t need to turn back. He is only required to collect and hurl the ball towards the keeper or the bowler’s end.