Cricket Equipment List

Cricket is a wildly popular sport with an extensive history. As the game has evolved, so too has the equipment players need to wear. Read on to learn about all of the equipment needed to take part in a game of cricket.

Cricket Equipment

In cricket, 11 players per team are on a circular field called the pitch. Similar to baseball, in cricket, a ball is pitched to a batsman with a cricket bat. Behind the batter is a wooden stand consisting of three stumps and two bails, called the wicket.

In a standard game, one side pitches the ball, trying to knock over the bails supported by the three stumps, while the other team bats and tries to keep the ball from knocking over the bails. The pitching side tries to dismiss the batting side by knocking over the bails (called being bowled) or fielding the ball after it is hit into the air. When 10 players have been dismissed, the teams switch sides.

Match Equipment

There’s certain equipment that every cricket player needs to play the game of cricket, known as match equipment. This equipment excludes non-mandatory equipment and only consists of the bare necessities. The most popular forms of cricket match equipment are:

• Cricket Bag
• Cricket Bails
• Cricket Ball
• Cricket Bat
• Cricket Boundary
• Cricket Sight Screen
• Cricket Stumps
• Water Bottle

Cricket Bag

Cricket bags are essential for carrying your equipment to and from matches or practices. Bags designed for cricket players are large enough to hold all of the necessary equipment, including your bat, helmet, balls, gloves, and other safety equipment. Every cricket bag will feature straps to carry the bag, while others may have wheels for easier transport. These bags have separate compartments, usually with a larger main compartment in the middle and smaller side pockets on the sides. Cricket bags range in price from as low as $30 to upwards of $120, depending on the size and features.

Cricket Bails

Cricket bails are rounded pieces of wood that are placed on top of the wickets at the end of each pitch. The objective of the bowler delivering the pitch is to hit these wickets so that the bails fall. This is one way a batter can be gotten out or dismissed from their turn. It’s recommended to have more than the required two bails on hand at every game because their size and shape make it easy for them to be misplaced, and they are very important for gameplay. Standard sets of bails can be purchased for $10.

Cricket Ball

Cricket balls are dense, hard, and traditionally red. They are made with a cork center and covered in leather. They weigh between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces and can pack a punch on contact. Their impact is what led to the introduction of many different pieces of protective equipment in the game of cricket. A pack of six balls can be purchased for about $60, while an individual ball can be as expensive as $15.

Cricket Bat

Cricket bats are one of the most unique parts of the game. The bats themselves are exclusively made of wood with a rounded handle wrapped in leather or rubber to grip and a flat blade on the bottom. The bat as a whole must be equal to or less than 38 inches with a 4.25-inch wide blade. These bats can come in different shapes, depending on the type of batsman you are and how much power you’d like for each hit. Professional cricket bats can cost up to $500 but can be found for around $45 for beginners. 

Cricket Boundary

A cricket field is marked with rope boundaries. The pitch as a whole is an oval shape without one official regulation size. Cricket fields typically fall within the 450ft to 500ft range. These rope boundaries must be three yards from the fencing of the field. While any rope can be used in a more casual cricket setting, there are official sets of boundaries sold in packs of either actual rope or more unique wedged triangles with room for sponsorship and advertising. Sets like these can be sold for over $100 and can have a variety of different dimensions.

Cricket Sight Screen

Sight screens in cricket have a very important job: to distinguish between the flying red ball coming at you and the background. They make it possible for batsmen to be able to see properly and hit the ball at their desired angle. Sight screens are normally several yards tall and wide and made up of 12 different panels. Typically, they are set up near the boundaries of the field. The panels with slats separating them are put in place to ensure the sight screen does not fall when it encounters strong wind. Professional sight screens can cost upwards of $3,000, so this is a piece of equipment typically provided by a club or organization for players.

Cricket Stumps

Stumps in cricket are used to build the wickets that hold bails. They come in groups of three rods with pointed stakes at the bottom to be placed in the ground. Stumps are made of wood and are typically given a waterproof coating because of the nature of the outdoor game. Some can be made of metal with a built-in base, but these are not for professional use. They are critical for cricket because these wickets are what bowlers are aiming for when trying to knock down the bails and dismiss a batsman. They are always bought in sets and can fall anywhere in the $20 to $45 range.

Water Bottle

A water bottle is essential for any sport. Reusable plastic and metal ones are the best for the environment and can be found at any sports retail store for about $15. They can’t really be used during innings as a fielder, but those waiting to bat will often use their time to rehydrate. Teams sometimes choose to have matching water bottles.

Safety Equipment

Cricket can be a dangerous game, especially given that the balls are made of cork and leather. Naturally, cricket fans and players alike have developed safety equipment over the years in order to protect themselves from injuries. Some of the most common forms of safety equipment in cricket include:

• Arm Guard
• Chest Guard
• Cricket Helmet
• Elbow Guard
• Gloves
• Jockstrap
• Leg Pads
• Mouthguard
• Thigh Guard
• Wicket Keeper Gloves

Arm Guard

Arm guards are one of many different kinds of protective equipment in cricket. Although the game is not a contact sport, it is not uncommon for fielders and batters to be struck by the heavy ball. These guards are typically slipped on like gloves and cover a player’s forearm. They are made of a spandex material with either a foam or plastic piece to guard the outside of the arm. Individual arm guards can be purchased in the $15 to $20 range.

Chest Guard

A chest guard serves a similar purpose, especially for batters. A chest guard rests underneath a player’s shirt and is attached with straps around his or her back. The plate can either be made of plastic and covered with a material that makes it more comfortable for the wearer or shock-absorbent padding that molds more to the player’s chest shape. They are typically sold by the same manufacturers of cricket arm guards and sell for around $25.

Cricket Helmet

A cricket helmet is a critically important part of the game. A blow to the head by a ball could cause serious damage to a batter’s skull, so these helmets are a necessity when it comes to protection. A cricket helmet is flat-brimmed like a cap but is made of a protective metal material with a painted coating and a titanium cage attached to cover a player’s jaw. It is not uncommon for these helmets to be styled to match the uniform of the team. Professional cricket helmets with different kinds of ventilation panels and comfortable material on their interiors can cost up to $200, while beginners will buy helmets for around $40 to $70.

Elbow Guard

Elbow guards serve a very similar purpose as arm guards. They are attached in the same manner (slipping them on like gloves) and are usually made of the same protective materials. The elbow is a particularly vulnerable part of the arm when playing cricket, especially when batting, so it is very important that they be shielded from any incoming balls. They can be sold for as low as $10 and as high as $65, depending on the flexibility of the guard.

Gloves

Gloves in cricket are primarily used by batsmen. They are used for grip and protection from incoming balls. Cricket gloves typically feature added padding around the fingers with divisions in the foam to allow for flexibility. They have a thin rubber coating on the palm for maximum grip on the bat handle but are rather bulky on the backside to protect the wearer’s knuckles, wrists, and finger bones. They are sometimes layered with cotton inner gloves to prevent chafing. Some players like to express their individuality in the design of their batting gloves. Depending on the brand and style, cricket gloves can be purchased for $15 to $40.

Jockstrap

A jockstrap and cup combination is a critical piece of equipment for protection during cricket. With balls being thrown at speeds up to 80 mph, it is important to have quality protection for your body’s most sensitive parts. Jockstraps are common in most contact and stick and ball sports. They are relatively inexpensive and can be bought through various retailers for about $12.

Leg Pads

Leg pads or guards are another type of essential protective equipment for cricket batters. They extend from the knee down to the player’s ankles and have thick padding all the way down. These pads are meant to protect the knee and shin bones should they come in contact with the hard cricket ball. They are typically rounded at the top to make it easier for players to have a full range of motion. Leg pads are sold by cricket equipment suppliers for about $45 a pair.

Mouthguard

Mouthguards are essential safety equipment for all cricket players. Due to the potential of being hit with the ball, mouthguards are a good call in both friendly and professional matches. They are no different from those used in other sports and typically cost $15 to $20 from online sports retailers.

Thigh Guard

Thigh guards are another piece of protective equipment that any cricket player needs. This gear is worn around the waist as a spandex band with two thigh shells attached. It’s possible to also wear them separately as sleeves around each thigh, but the purpose is the same regardless. The shells protect the sensitive area above the knees. Pairs are sold for $20, but the set that is worn around the waist can go for over $50.

Wicket Keeper Gloves

More so than other fielders in cricket, wicket keepers are at risk of getting hit with the ball. They are responsible for tending to the wicket and balls behind the batsmen. They have a similar protective covering and padding as the batter’s gloves to ensure the safety of all fingers involved in the game. On official cricket gear supplier websites, wicket keeper gloves are sold for anywhere from $50 to $150.

Clothing

Like most other sports, cricket players wear specific clothing and uniforms while competing. This attire has ties to age-old traditions and is a signature part of the experience spectators expect when watching a match. Some of the most popular forms of cricket clothing include:

• Cricket Cap
• Cricket Shirt
• Cricket Shoes
• Cricket Pants

Cricket Cap

A cap is a traditional piece of cricket gear that almost every player wears. They are flat-brimmed, tight to the head hats typically made out of either felt or a polyester cotton blend. There is great variety in cricket caps in terms of both color and style, which often vary as a part of a team or school’s uniform. Similar to baseball caps, they are worn most often by players when fielding. You can buy a cricket cap online for less than $20 at most sports retailers.

Cricket Shirt

Cricket shirts are one half of a cricket player’s uniform. These shirts are polo-style, typically with short sleeves, unless the weather during a game is particularly cold. More often than not, these shirts are white. This helps players stay cool in the sun and more easily locate the red ball, hence their nickname “cricket whites.” That being said, there are also circumstances where players don’t strictly wear white uniforms. These shirts can range anywhere from $15 to $50, depending on the style, material, and brand.

Cricket Shoes

Choosing the right shoes for cricket is very important for a player’s game. Players in different field positions will choose lightweight or heavyweight shoes depending on their style of play. The different kinds of spikes at the bottom of cricket shoes are imperative for a good grip while running and even batting because they have different levels of traction. Wearing the correct shoes can also protect a player from different kinds of ankle injuries while playing. Cricket shoes are actually not unreasonably expensive; a quality pair with ventilated material can be found for less than $50.

Cricket Pants

Unlike other sports in which most players wear shorts, cricket players wear pants. Cricket pants are unique in that they are designed to be loose enough not to hinder movement and allow for breathability. They also provide additional protection by covering the legs from scrapes caused by sliding on the ground. Cricket pants also serve the purpose of making it more comfortable to wear various pads or leg guards while batting. A team’s pants will generally be white or coordinate with the colors of the rest of their kit. Cricket pants can be purchased for between $20 and $35.

List of Cricket Equipment

• Arm Guards
• Chest Guards
• Bails
• Balls
• Bats
• Boundaries
• Caps
• Helmets
• Shirts
• Shoes
• Sight Screens
• Stumps
• Elbow Guards
• Jockstraps
• Leg Pads
• Thigh Guards
• Pants
• Water Bottles
• Wicket Keeper Gloves

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