Today, we talk about crucial Cricket accessories used in the game. Cricket is a sport that requires unique clothing and equipment for safety purposes. All equipment that players need in cricket is strictly regulated by the Laws of Cricket, a set of rules that apply to cricket games across the world. Cricket clothing, known as cricket whites, or flannels, is slightly loose fitting to restrict players’ movements.
The use of protective equipment, such as cricket helmets, gloves, and pads, is also regulated. Cricket can be a dangerous sport, of that there is no doubt. It is one of the reasons why there are rules and regulations and why players wear helmets and other guards.
Like many other sports, cricket players must wear protective gear to ensure their safety during the match. Whether you are a batsman, a wicketkeeper, or a fielder, there are a few items of cricket equipment that you really can’t do without. In this piece, we will learn about ten crucial Cricket accessories that are used in cricket to remain uninjured during the play.
Crucial Cricket Accessories:
1. Helmet
A cricket helmet is a critically important part of the game. A blow to the head by the ball could cause serious injury to a batter’s skull, so these helmets are necessary for protection. A cricket helmet is flat-brimmed like the caps. It is made up of protective metal material with paint 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. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
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2. 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 down. They 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. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
3. Elbow Guard
Elbow guard is used by the batsmen to prevent any injury due to impacted ball or while diving when running between the wickets. It is Pre-shaped with double-layered polyethylene foam for superior cushioning with soft stretchable elastic and cotton back for excellent moisture management. Elbow guards serve a very similar purpose as arm guards. The elbow is a particularly vulnerable part of the arm when playing cricket, especially when batting, so they must be shielded from any incoming balls. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
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4. Abdomen Guard
Abdominal guard or “box” or an L Guard for male batsmen and wicketkeepers (often referred to as a cup, box, or abdo guard). It is usually constructed from high-density plastic with a padded edge, shaped like a hollow half-pear, and inserted into the jockstrap with cup pocket underwear of the batsmen and wicketkeeper. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
5. Thigh Guard
Thigh guards are another piece of protective equipment that cricket player needs. The thigh pad is a lightweight piece of protection worn on the outside of the thigh closest, mostly when facing unpredictable pace bowlers. There are two straps, one around the waist, and one around the inner thigh, holding the guard.
For additional protection, some batsmen also wear a smaller, second thigh pad on their back leg’s inner thigh. 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.
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6. Gloves
There are two types of gloves i.e., wicketkeeper gloves and batsmen gloves. More so than other fielders in cricket, wicketkeepers are at risk for getting hit with the ball. They are responsible for tending to the wicket and bails behind the batsmen. They have a similar protective covering and padding as the batter’s gloves to ensure the safety of all fingers involved. Batsmen primarily use gloves in cricket. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
They are used for grip and protection from incoming balls. They are often quite padded 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. Still, They are rather bulky on the backside to protect the wearer’s knuckles, wrists, and finger bones. Some players like to express their individuality in the design of their batting gloves.
7. 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 the heavy ball to strike fielders and batters. 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. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
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8. Jockstrap
When balls are thrown at batsmen at sometimes 80mph, it is crucial to have a quality guard on your body’s most sensitive parts. A jockstrap is an undergarment for protecting the testes and penis during cricket, contact sports or other vigorous physical activity. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
A jockstrap consists of a waistband (usually elastic) with a support pouch for the genetic regions and two elastic straps affixed to the base of the pouch and the left and right sides of the waistband at the hip. The pouch, in some varieties, may be fitted with a pocket to hold an abdominal guard to protect the testicles and the penis from injury.
9. Chest Guard
The cricket chest guard is an essential part of a cricket player. It provides chest protection. A lot of times, cricket batsmen don’t feel comfortable facing fast bowlers without chest protection. The cricket chest guard provides peace of mind to the batsman, knowing that they can play their shots freely.
A chest guard rests like a plate underneath a player’s shirt and is attached with straps around his or her back. The plate can 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. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
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10. 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 traction levels. Wearing the correct footwear can also protect a player from different kinds of ankle injuries while playing. Among the crucial Cricket accessories used.
These were the 10 crucial Cricket accessories we see in play. Don’t forget to pen down your comments, even if you think there are other accessories which should have been quoted here.
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