Junior Cricket Kit: What a Child Needs
Also known as: junior cricket kit, kids cricket gear, cricket kit list for kids, what cricket gear does my child need, parents guide to cricket, junior cricket equipment
For 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.
Introductory sessions such as All Stars and Dynamos need very little. Ask the organiser what equipment is provided. Send your child in comfortable sports clothes and trainers, with a sun hat, sun cream and a named water bottle. Buying a bat can wait until they are playing regularly.
Hard-ball cricket needs proper protection. Start with the bat, chosen from the maker's size chart by height and checked in the stance. A heavy bat to grow into slows the swing and makes good technique harder. The helmet should have a grille and be certified to BS 7928:2013. The ECB recommends one tested against the size of ball your child plays with. In England and Wales, under-18s must wear a helmet with a grille when batting against a hard ball, including in nets. Male juniors must also wear a box whenever a helmet is required. The ECB strongly advises a neck guard with every helmet.
Add junior batting pads, gloves and a thigh pad, and a kit bag to carry it all. Your club will tell you whether whites or club colours are needed. Spiked or studded cricket shoes help on grass, but trainers are fine for younger players. Check the fit every season. Children grow out of pads, gloves and helmets quickly, and loose kit protects less. Ask the club about second-hand kit or a kit bank before buying everything new.
Tips by skill level
Before buying anything, ask your club what it provides. Many clubs lend kit to beginners or run a kit swap.
Check the helmet's label for the standard and the ball size it was tested against. Re-check the fit each spring, because a growing head changes the fit fast.
Example
Before her first hard-ball season, a parent takes their 11-year-old to the club's kit evening. They borrow pads and gloves, buy a box and thigh pad, and get a helmet with a grille fitted. They choose the bat size from the maker's height chart.
Why it matters
The right kit, correctly sized, keeps children safe and lets them learn good technique. It also saves money spent on gear they do not yet need.
Common mistakes
- Buying a bat too big or heavy for the child to grow into
- Using an adult or second-hand helmet that does not fit or meet the standard
- Skipping the box or thigh pad in nets
- Buying full hard-ball kit before the child has tried the game
Frequently asked questions
What cricket gear does my child need?
For introductory or soft-ball sessions, usually just trainers, sports clothes, a sun hat and water. For hard-ball cricket: a bat of the right size, a helmet with a grille, pads, gloves and a box, plus a thigh pad and neck guard.
Does my child need a helmet for cricket?
In England and Wales, yes, whenever they bat against a hard ball, in matches and in practice. The helmet should have a grille and be certified to BS 7928:2013.
Should I buy my child a bat to grow into?
No. A bat that is too long or heavy slows the swing and leads to bad habits. Choose the size from the maker's height chart and check it in your child's stance.
Sources
Related terms
- Junior Cricket PathwayIn England and Wales, young children usually start with All Stars Cricket (ages 5 to 8), then Dynamos Cricket (8 to 11). Junior club cricket for 11 to 16 offers soft-ball and hard-ball options. The age a child moves to a hard ball varies by club and region, and by how ready the child is.
- Cricket Bat SizesCricket bat size is chosen by height, not age. Junior bats run from size 0 to size 6, then Harrow, and adult bats come in sizes such as short handle and long handle. A 10-year-old usually needs a size 3 or 4, depending on height. In your stance, the top of the handle should line up with the inner groin of your front leg.
- 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.
- Batting Pads, Gloves and Protective GearTo 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.
- Bat Weight and PickupBat weight is what the bat weighs on the scales. Pickup is how heavy it feels when you lift it in your stance. It depends on how the weight is spread along the bat. Choose a bat you can swing freely and control. A simple check is holding it out at arm's length with your top hand.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.