Cricket Gear Essentials: Must-Haves for Every Cricketer

Who says cricket is no fun at all? It’s all stereotypical and biased word-of-mouth. In fact, cricket can actually be quite enjoyable and rewarding if you just give it a chance. And that’s exactly what you’re willing to do. Whether you’re a novice cricket player or you’ve had some experience in the past and now you just want to build on that, there’s something in it for everyone.

Cricket is the kind of game that requires specific equipment that allows you to reach the skill level and physical ability required to play. All of the items come in loads of different shapes, sizes and materials which is why it’s crucial to know exactly what you need. If you’re just starting out, that might not be an easy feat. Fortunately for you, we’re here to help you narrow down your choices and make the right decision so you can reap the benefits of this exciting sport.

What Gear Do You Need for Cricket?

Here, we’ll have a look at the basic training equipment which is supposed to help you stay safe, improve your skills and reach the ideal performance levels.

Cricket Bat

You can do cricket without, shockingly, a cricket bat. The type of bat you choose can greatly influence your overall abilities. There are a few things you need to consider before making a decision. For starters, the size and weight of the bat correspond directly to your body shape and type. If you get a bat that’s too large or heavy for you, it might be difficult to handle.

Next up, you need to pay attention to the shape of the bat. At its centre, each bat has a sweet spot which you’ll be using to hit the ball. That spot in particular has a number of different swell depth and edge sizes which produce various bounce rates, ranging from low to mid-range to high. Essentially, the bat shape determines how far you’ll be able to hit the ball so you need to consider the size of the playing field first. And last but not least, the type of wood used also plays a crucial role. Willow grades are normally ranged from 1 to 5, with 1 being the best in terms of quality and durability.

Cricket Gloves

Both types of cricket gloves – batting and wicket protector gloves – serve the same purpose. They’re supposed to provide a more secure grip on the bat and protect your hands from incoming balls. Seriously though, you’d be surprised at how often cricket players end up breaking their fingers if they don’t wear adequate protection. The main thing you need to look out for when shopping for cricket gloves is the extra padding in the palm and finger area. This is your ticket to preventing injury.

Cricket Pads

Much like cricket gloves, there are two main types of pads – batting and wicket pads. The thick padding, which extends from your knee down to your ankles, protects your knee and shin bones from impact. In addition, they normally come with a rounded top to ensure a full range of mobility. To make the most out of your pads, you need to make sure they fit properly and comfortably.

Cricket Helmet

We can’t possibly discuss safety gear without mentioning a helmet. If you need extra padding for your hands and shins, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you need some for your head as well. At first glance, those tiny cricket balls might seem harmless but they can do a lot of damage to your skull when thrown at high speeds.

Cricket Duffel Bag

Need a place to store all your essentials when you’re on the move? After all, there are so many things you have to keep a close eye on. If you want to easily carry your equipment on and off the field, you should have a look at practical cricket backpacks. What type of cricket backpack is right for you? Well, unfortunately, there’s no straightforward answer since it all comes down to your individual preferences. However, there are a couple of clues that might help you decide which one to get.

The first factor you should consider is the size of your backpack. The choice depends greatly on the number of items you’ll be carrying around with you. In other words, the storage space you have at your disposal should be enough to keep all of your batting equipment safe and neatly arranged.

Another important feature is functionality. Cricket backpacks that come with additional features such as a padlock, multiple zip pockets and a waterproof shoe tunnel are a welcome sight. Having extra pockets ensures that you’ll keep all your items organised and within reaching distance. In this way, you won’t have to waste time searching for your gloves which are buried at the bottom of your backpack. Some bags even come with a cool zone to keep your drinks from warming up during the summer.

Moreover, backpacks are far more convenient than wheelie bags since you can easily climb up a long set of stairs without having to carry a lot of weight. All you have to do is strap it on and you’re all set!

Water Bottle

Finally, let’s not forget the importance of staying hydrated and drinking lots of water. Even the slightest bit of dehydration can cause a huge dip in performance. For this reason, don’t forget to take a few sips of water every now and then to avoid feeling thirsty.

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