Cricket Equipment and Kit

In this lesson you will look at the cricket bat. A traditional bat is made from willow, usually English willow, with a cane handle bound with string and covered by a rubber grip. The Laws limit a bat to a maximum length of 38 inches and a maximum width of four and a quarter inches, with limits on depth and edge thickness too. Bats come in sizes, and the right size lets you hold the handle comfortably with the toe of the bat resting near your back foot. A bat that is too heavy will slow your shots and can encourage poor technique.

• Traditionally made from willow with a cane handle
• Maximum length 38 inches, width 4.25 inches
• Choose a size and weight you can control
• Too heavy a bat harms technique

In this lesson you will meet the ball and the wicket. A cricket ball has a cork core wound with string and is covered in leather, stitched together with a raised seam. A men's ball weighs between 155.9 and 163 grams, while women's and junior balls are smaller and lighter. Red balls are traditional in longer cricket, and white or pink balls are used in many limited-overs matches. The wicket uses three stumps, each twenty-eight inches high, with two bails resting in grooves on top. A softer ball is often used for beginners and younger players.

• Cork core, string winding and leather cover
• Men's ball weighs 155.9 to 163 grams
• Red, white and pink balls are used in different formats
• Stumps stand 28 inches high

In this lesson you will learn what a batter should wear when facing a hard ball. A helmet with a faceguard protects the head and face, and should be worn whenever you bat against a hard ball. Pads protect the shins and knees, batting gloves protect the fingers and hands, and an abdominal guard, often called a box, protects the groin. Many players also wear thigh guards and arm guards. Equipment should meet the current British safety standard for cricket helmets, and it must fit well. Protective kit reduces the risk of injury but never removes it, so good technique matters too.

• Helmet with faceguard against a hard ball
• Pads, gloves and box are essential
• Thigh and arm guards add protection
• Check helmets meet the current British safety standard

In this lesson you will look at the special kit worn by the wicketkeeper. The keeper wears large padded gauntlets with webbing between the thumb and forefinger, usually with thin inner gloves underneath for comfort and hygiene. Wicketkeeping pads are lighter and shorter than batting pads to allow quick movement. Keepers should wear a box, and a helmet is strongly recommended when standing up to the stumps. Only the wicketkeeper is permitted to wear gloves in the field. Any other fielder may only wear protection approved by the umpires, such as a helmet close to the bat.

• Padded gauntlets with inner gloves
• Lighter, shorter keeping pads
• Box and helmet when standing up
• Only the keeper may wear gloves in the field

In this lesson you will learn how to dress for cricket. Traditional cricket clothing is white or cream, while many limited-overs competitions use coloured team kit. Clothing should be comfortable, allow free movement and suit the weather, with layers for cold days and a hat and sun cream for sunny ones. Footwear matters a great deal. Spiked or studded cricket shoes give grip on grass, while rubber-soled shoes suit artificial surfaces and indoor nets. Always check the WFA competition regulations for any clothing or colour requirements in league matches. Comfortable, suitable clothing helps you concentrate on the game.

• Whites or coloured team kit, depending on competition
• Dress for the weather in layers
• Use sun protection on sunny days
• Spikes or studs on grass, rubber soles indoors

In this lesson you will learn to keep your kit in good, safe condition. Before every session, check your helmet for cracks, a bent or loose faceguard, or worn padding, and replace a helmet that has taken a heavy blow. Check pads and gloves for split padding and broken straps. Let kit dry out after use to prevent mould and smells. New willow bats usually need oiling and knocking in before use, following the maker's advice. Never share helmets that do not fit you, and make sure young players' kit is the right size for them.

• Check helmets and faceguards before each session
• Replace a helmet after a heavy impact
• Dry kit out after use
• Follow maker's advice for preparing new bats