| When you are just starting out playing cricket it is | | | | you start is a must - you can't bat without one. |
| not always easy to decide what you need to buy. If | | | | Cricket batting pads and batting gloves are the next |
| you go into a sports store and ask them what you | | | | most important thing that you need when you are |
| need, you will end up getting a lot of equipment. So it | | | | starting to play (often you should be able to borrow |
| is best to work out what you need before you go | | | | them from your team mates or club if you can't buy |
| shopping. That way you are more likely to get what | | | | them). Cricket pads will protect your legs and if you |
| you need, rather than what the store owner thinks | | | | get a good pair they will make you much more |
| you need. | | | | comfortable on the pitch. When you are buying pads, |
| Below, is more or less a comprehensive cricket | | | | it is also better to go to the store to make sure that |
| equipment list, you don't need everything on this list, | | | | you get a pair that fit you and are easy for you to |
| as many clubs will lend you equipment especially at | | | | wear and to play in. Even if you see a pair that look |
| junior level: | | | | good at an online, you would be better to pay a bit |
| Cricket whites, cricket bat, ball, helmet, gloves, | | | | more in the store so that you make sure that you |
| batting (wicket keeping) inner gloves, wicket keeping | | | | get a pair that is right for you. Cricket batting gloves |
| gloves, batting pads, wicket keeping pads, box, chest | | | | are also important to protect you hands when you |
| pad, arm guard, inner thigh pad, cricket boots | | | | are batting, as fingers can be easily broken when hit |
| (bowling boots; batting boots), box (groin guard), | | | | with a hard cricket ball. |
| stumps and bails. | | | | If you are young player it is a good idea to buy a |
| For most games that you play you will need your | | | | helmet to keep your head safe from any high balls or |
| own set of whites. Cricket whites consist of white | | | | balls that deflect off your bat towards your face. |
| cricket trousers and cricket shirt. Make sure that you | | | | Regulations now mean that young players under 18 |
| get a proper pair of cricket trousers and also a good | | | | have to wear helmets when batting (or if you're a |
| white cricket shirt and jumper as it can get cold if | | | | wicket keeper if you are standing up). You might be |
| you are standing out on the field for a long time | | | | able to borrow a helmet from your team mates or |
| especially if you are playing in England (the start and | | | | club but if you are serious about your cricket it's |
| end of the season are the coldest). | | | | definitely worth investing in one. |
| If you can not borrow equipment from your club the | | | | Serious cricketers should also invest in a pair of |
| other most important items of equipment are a | | | | cricket boots. As it is very important to buy these as |
| cricket bat and box. A good cricket bat is essential if | | | | your feet can suffer if you do not have the right |
| you intend to score lots of runs and is a very | | | | shoes. Having the cricket ball hit your toes when |
| personal piece of equipment, spend some time | | | | batting is very painful and good pair of cricket boots |
| choosing your bat, ideally you should go to a shop | | | | will provide more protection than a simple pair of |
| and pick one up beofre you buy so you know how it | | | | trainers. |
| feels to play with. (Once you know what you want | | | | You do not need a huge amount of gear to play |
| you can often buy bats online cheaper). You need a | | | | cricket, as often you can borrow gear from your |
| good box to protect your groin from the ball, as | | | | team mates or club, plus if you invest in high quality |
| getting hit 'down below' is extremely painful (I know | | | | cricket equipment then it will last you a very long |
| from experience), so investing in a good box before | | | | time as well. |