Few sportsmen and women are as fussy about their kit as cricketers. Whether it’s bats, pads, gloves or even the cricket bag itself, cricketers will pore over catalogues trying to find exactly the right item for that suits both their physical frame and style of play.
The majority of cricket equipment is designed to protect a batsman. In 2014, the tragic death of Australian cricketer Philip Hughes after he was struck on the head by a ball put the safety of cricket in the spotlight. This is unsurprising when you consider the risks of facing a hard cricket ball bowled at up to speeds of up to 100mph.
So, if you’re on the lookout for protective gear, here are a few essentials you’ll need to search for.
Helmet
Most cricketers at every level now wear a helmet while batting and any player under the age of 18 must wear one as standard. The most important things to bear in mind when choosing a helmet are:
Is it comfortable, does it fit well and does it stay stable when you’re running?
Does it have a kite mark?
Most cricket specialists will only stock helmets that have passed the required safety tests, so choosing a helmet really comes down to comfort and budget. Most helmets available have some adjustments to make them more comfortable. By adjusting the helmet nut settings, the grille can also be positioned to prevent a cricket ball passing under the visor whilst still allowing good visibility.
Watch Australian captain Ricky Ponting hit on the head by England’s Steve Harmison
Pads
The best way to choose your leg guard size is to ensure your knee is lined up right in the middle of the knee roll and then check that the top of the pads are not getting in the way of your hands when you are in your batting stance. Having the wrong size pads will mean they get in the way and become a burden when running and playing strokes. They are also less effective in providing protection as the padding is situated in the wrong places due to their incorrect size.
Abdo guard
Commonly known as a box, an abdo guard provides protection to the groin and as a result is the subject of many a dressing room prank. But that shouldn’t distract from the fact that a cricket box is an absolutely essential piece of cricket protection. Never go out to bat not wearing one and don’t expect to borrow one either!
Watch David Lloyd get hit ‘amidships’ by Australian fast bowler Jeff Thompson!
Thigh pads
Although some players choose not to wear them because they can restrict movement, a thigh pad worn on the inside of the trousers prevents serious bruising if you are hit on one of the body’s fleshier parts.
Chest guard
Few players at amateur level wear chest guards but they are well worth considering if you are facing fast bowling regularly or play on the odd dodgy pitch.
Arm guard
Arm guards have gone out of fashion with most top players as many feel it restricts their fluency when playing shots. However, if you are a bowler and want to protect your arm, they are worth wearing.
Gloves
Remember, gloves come in both left and right handed pairs and a good fit is essential. The gloves should feel pretty tight, because the looser the fit the less effective the protection is.
Why choose Insure4Sport for cricket insurance?
At Insure4Sport, we know that sportsmen and women have more than one string to their bow, which is why we have multi-sports cover. Cricket is a category B sport, along with golf, football and hockey, so a cricket insurance policy will also mean you’re insured whilst taking part in any other category B sport.
For the full list of category B sports view our multi-sports insurance page.
We also have some great value additional extras available on each policy, including cover for the loss of earnings. For example, if you were to injure yourself playing cricket which left you unfit to work, we can offer an allowance of up to £750 per week to keep you on track until you’re fit and ready to get back on your feet.
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