Equipment for the Professional Cricket Player

Cricket is a team game with ball and bat. It is popular in Asia, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. This discipline has many specific features and nuances, so it is very complex, peculiar and lengthy. Sometimes the duration of the match reaches up to 6 days. Cricket involves the use of specialized equipment and gear. Professional tournaments require the participants of each team to have a unified uniform. And the wicket keeper is required to wear protective gear. In this article you will be able to familiarize yourself in detail with all the equipment for professional cricket. This information will be useful for fans of the game, those who want to start playing, as well as bettors.

Match Equipment

Strict requirements are imposed on the equipment used in cricket competitions, as well as on the field markings. All these provisions are described in the Laws of the Game. Cricket clothing is usually white in color. In Test matches, as is traditional, participants usually wear clothing matching the team colors as in other sports. There are certain equipment that every cricket player needs to play:

Bag;
Bails;
Ball;
Bat;
Boundary;
Sight Screen;
Stumps.

This package does not include optional equipment and consists of only the essentials. Below you will be able to familiarize yourself with each of these cricketing items in more detail.

Cricket Bag

Cricket bags are necessary for transporting equipment to games and practices. They were created with players in mind. large enough to accommodate all necessary gear, such as a bat, helmet, balls, gloves, and other safety gear. Every cricket bag has carrying straps, and some of them could even have wheels for mobility. They each have their own compartments, typically with a big main one in the middle and little side ones on either side.

Cricket Bails

Round pieces of wood known as cricket bails are placed on wickets at the conclusion of each innings. The bowler's role at bat is to hit them. The wicket must fall as a result. This is one method through which a batter could be ejected from the contest or penalized for a hit. It is recommended to have more than two bails in stock for each match. They are crucial to gaming because of their size and form, which makes it simple to mix them up.

Cricket Ball

Cricket balls should be red in color, hard and dense. They are covered with leather and have a cork base. They weigh between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces and can cause severe damage on contact with the body. This is what prompted the creation of a wide range of protective gear in cricket.

Cricket Bat

One of the most unusual pieces of equipment is the cricket bat. They have a rounded handle coated in leather or rubber for a pleasant grip and are only made of wood. At the bottom, it is flat. The overall length of the bat must be 38 inches or less, and the striking portion's width must be 4.25 inches. Depending on the type of batter and the required force of each strike, its shape can vary.

Cricket Boundary

The boundaries of a cricket field are fenced. It is often oval in shape and has no set official dimensions. The normal length of a cricket field is between 450 and 500 feet. These lines should be no more than three yards from the field fence. There are recognized sets, although any rope can be used in traditional cricket. They are the shape of wedge-shaped triangles. Information such as sponsorship and advertising can be placed on these.

Cricket Sight Screen

In cricket, aiming screens serve a crucial purpose. They reflect the red ball that is approaching you from behind. The screens give batsmen great vision so they can strike the ball at the proper angle. They typically have 12 distinct panels and are several yards high and wide. They are typically placed close to the field's edges. The sighting screen is kept from collapsing in high gusts thanks to the slats that divide them.

Cricket Stumps

Stumps are used in cricket to make the wickets on which the bails are held. They are driven into the ground and have a pointed shape at the bottom. As the game is played outdoors, wooden stumps usually have a waterproof coating. Some may have a built-in base and be made of metal, but these are not intended for professional use. In cricket, stumps play a crucial role as they are the stumps bowlers target when trying to remove bails and knock a batsman out.

Player Safety Equipment

Given that the balls are made of cork and leather, the game of cricket can be risky. Naturally, over time, fans and athletes have created protective gear to shield themselves from harm. The following are some examples of the most typical cricket safety gear:

Arm Guard. One of the most varied types of protective equipment in cricket is the shield. Although there is no contact in the game. Batters and fielders are often hit by a heavy ball. These shields cover the forearm of the player and are worn like gloves. They have a foam or plastic component to protect the outside of the arm and are made of spandex. Failure to wear them can lead to fractures or very severe bruising;
Chest Guard. A chest protector provides similar protection, especially for batters. It has straps on the back and is worn under the player's jersey. The plate may be made of plastic. It may also be padded or covered with a material that is more comfortable to wear or more closely follows the contour of the player's chest;
Cricket Helmet. The most important piece of protective equipment is the cricket helmet. It is necessary because a ball hitting the batter's head can seriously damage the skull. A helmet is characterized by a flat visor resembling a cap. It consists of a protective metal material coated with paint. The player's jaw is closed with a titanium clip. Such helmets are often customized to match the team's equipment. This serves not only as protection, but also as a distinctive feature;
Elbow Guard. Elbow guards serve the same purpose as the arm. They are attached in a similar way (pulled on like gloves). They are usually made of the same protective materials. When playing cricket, the elbows are one of the most vulnerable parts of the arm. Especially during a strike. It is therefore very important that they are protected in the best possible way;
Gloves. Batsmen use gloves mostly. They are employed to catch and deflect flying balls. Cricket gloves typically include additional padding around the fingertips and flexible foam divisions. To improve grip on the bat handle, the palm includes a small layer of rubber coating. The gloves are extremely hefty on the back to protect the finger bones, wrists, and knuckles. Chafing can occasionally be avoided by using cotton textiles. Some athletes prefer to use their gloves as a means of personal expression;
Jockstrap. To protect yourself while playing cricket, it is essential to wear Jockstrap. The most sensitive parts of the body should be well covered. As balls are thrown at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. In most contact sports, as well as when playing with a stick, armbands are involved. Cricket is no exception;
Leg Pads. Leg pads or foot protection. Another form of crucial gear for the security of cricket players is this. They are from the participant's knee to the ankles and are well padded throughout. When the leg comes into touch with a hard ball, these shields are intended to protect it. To allow the player a full range of motion, they are typically rounded at the top;
Mouthguard. All cricket players must wear mouthguards as part of their protective equipment. Because of the possibility of accidental contact between the ball and the head. The player's jaw and teeth are protected by a properly fitted mouth guard. In both amateur and professional matches, they are needed as an essential element of defense;
Thigh Guard. This additional piece of protective equipment is a must have for any cricketer. Attached to this gear are two hipbands that are worn around the waist like a spandex band. The purpose is the same whether you wear them together or separately as sleeves on both thighs. Above the knees, these shields protect the sensitive area;
Wicket Keeper Gloves. Wicket keepers are more susceptible to being hit by the ball. Therefore, protective gloves are also provided for them. They are solidly built, as well as being as well designed and comfortable as possible. This allows maximum protection of the fingers and does not restrict the player's movements.

These defenses are specialty equipment. They are as well designed and reliable as possible. With their help, a cricketer can ensure the safety of his body. At the same time, this protective equipment is not a hindrance during movement. The description of each element is given below.

Professional Cricket Players' Clothing

Like other sports Cricket has its own special uniforms. It distinguishes the players from other athletes. The uniform is traditional and is designed for active movement during the game. Its main elements are:

Cricket Cap. Almost every cricket player wears a cap as a familiar piece of equipment. They are often flat and tight-fitting made of felt or a cotton/polyester blend. Caps come in a wide variety of colors and designs. They are often used as a unique part of a team's uniform. Like baseball caps, players usually wear them when taking the field;
Cricket Shirt. One of the elements of a cricket player's uniform is the shirt. They are made in the polo type. With long sleeves during cold games and short sleeves during warm ones. In most cases, the shirts are white in color. This makes it easier to find the red ball and makes players feel comfortable in the sun. However, in some cases, participants do not wear strictly white clothing;
Cricket Shoes. The choice of cricket shoes is crucial to a player's performance. They select light or heavy shoes based on their style and where they are on the field. A variety of spike kinds on the sole are necessary for a secure grip when jogging and even when swinging a bat. In-game ankle injuries can be prevented by wearing shoes that are properly fitted;
Cricket Pants. Cricket players wear pants, in contrast to other sports where shorts are the norm. They stand out since they were made to be breathable and sufficiently loose to not impede mobility. They additionally shield the legs from grazes brought on by slipping on the ground. Cricket pants also make it easier to put on different leg protectors or other leg protection. Typically, they are white or the same color as the other equipment.

The players' uniform implies long pants, shirt with sleeves of any length and sports shoes. The color for competitions is white, it is possible with shades. As shoes are more often used cleats with spikes - they provide a reliable grip on the surface of the field.