Batting Pads, Gloves and Protective Gear
Also known as: batting pads, batting gloves, thigh pad, abdominal guard, cricket box, arm guard, chest guard, cricket protective gear
To bat against a hard ball you need a helmet, batting pads, batting gloves and a box (abdominal guard). Most batters add a thigh pad. An arm guard, chest guard and inner thigh pad give extra protection against pace. Make sure every piece fits and lets you move freely.
Each piece of kit covers a part of the body the ball often hits. Batting gloves protect the fingers and hands. The ECB names these as the most injured body parts in cricket. Pads cover the shins and knees, and should sit from the top of the foot to above the knee. A thigh pad covers the front thigh of your front leg. Many batters add an inner thigh pad on the back leg. The ECB says evidence shows the thigh is the second most common injury site in recreational cricket. A box, or groin protector, is essential kit for male batters. Women and girls can wear a protector designed for them.
Against faster bowling, many batters add an arm guard on the front forearm. A chest guard protects the ribs and upper stomach. The helmet and neck guard come first of all and have their own fitting rules. In England and Wales, ECB rules require under-18s to wear a helmet with a grille against a hard ball. Male under-18s must also wear a box whenever a helmet is required. The ECB recommends the same for adults.
Fit matters as much as having the kit. Pads should let you run freely and not slip round when you move. Gloves should let you grip the bat without bunching. Try kit on in your stance and while running. Batting shoes with spikes or rubber studs help you stay on your feet on grass. Replace kit that is cracked, split or no longer fits, especially as juniors grow.
Tips by skill level
Put on all your kit and play a few shadow shots and a short run before a match. If anything slips or pinches, fix it before you bat.
Wear your full match protection in nets against pace and bowling machines. Short balls and edges come quicker there than you expect.
Example
Moving up to hard-ball cricket, a 13-year-old is fitted for pads that reach just above her knee. She also gets gloves that let her grip the handle, a thigh pad and a box. She already wears a helmet with a grille and neck guard.
Why it matters
The right protection, worn properly, lowers the risk of injury from a hard ball. It also lets you play with confidence instead of fear.
Common mistakes
- Batting in the nets without a thigh pad or box because it is only practice
- Using pads so big that they slip or slow your running
- Wearing gloves with worn finger protection
- Leaving the arm guard and chest guard at home against fast bowling
Frequently asked questions
What protective gear do I need for cricket?
To bat against a hard ball: a helmet with a grille, batting pads, batting gloves and a box. Most batters add a thigh pad. An arm guard, chest guard and inner thigh pad add protection against faster bowling.
Do you have to wear a box in cricket?
In England and Wales, male under-18s must wear a box whenever they are required to wear a helmet. That includes batting against a hard ball. The ECB recommends it for adult men too. Check your league's rules elsewhere.
Do I need a thigh pad for cricket?
It is strongly worth wearing. The ECB says the thigh is the second most common injury site in recreational cricket, and a thigh pad helps protect it.
Sources
Related terms
- Cricket Helmet and Neck GuardA cricket helmet with a faceguard or grille protects the head and face from the ball. A neck guard, or stem guard, attaches to the back of the helmet to protect the upper neck. Rules vary by country and level. In England and Wales, under-18s must wear a helmet with a faceguard or grille when batting against a hard ball.
- Playing Fast BowlingTo play fast bowling, finish any trigger movement before the ball is released so you are still and balanced. Watch the ball from the hand, decide forward or back early and play the ball late under your eyes. Leave balls outside off stump and have a clear plan for the short ball.
- BouncerA bouncer is a fast, short-pitched delivery that rears up toward the batter's head or chest. It is used to intimidate, disrupt balance, and set up the fuller ball.
- Junior Cricket Kit: What a Child NeedsFor introductory and soft-ball cricket a child needs little more than trainers, sports clothes, a sun hat and a water bottle. For hard-ball cricket they need a bat of the right size, a helmet with a grille, pads, batting gloves and a box. A thigh pad and neck guard are strongly advised. Many clubs lend kit to new juniors.
- Common Batting Injuries and PreventionCommon batting injuries include blows to the hands, fingers and thighs, blows to the head, hamstring strains while running between the wickets, and lower back soreness. Wear protective kit that fits, warm up before you bat and build running fitness. Stop if something hurts, and see a qualified medical professional about pain that persists.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.