10 Cricket accessories and protective gears

10 Cricket accessories and protective gears: For a batsman, it is indispensable to wear protective gear, as a hard ball of around 160 grams can do serious damage, especially when propelled towards him at more than 140 kph. Despite the use of several equipment’s, bruises and bumps are regular for a batsman. Protective gear comes as shock resistant items made of lightweight high density foam; it includes batting gloves, pads, arm guards, thigh guards and chest guards. Besides, cricketers need to wear special helmets with grilles. Batsmen and wicket keepers usually wear an abdomen guard, also known as a cup in order to protect themselves against the impact of the ball hitting the body. Leg pads are also worn by batsmen and wicket keepers in order to protect the shins, and fielders stationed near the batsmen might also choose to use leg pads. Wicket keepers also wear protective eye wear to protect their eyes, as the impact of the ball hitting the wicket can be great, and bails might get dislodged after impact. This article provides an insight into 10 Cricket accessories and protective gears: 1. Helmet: Cricket Helmet. (© Getty Images) In earlier days, a helmet used to come without a faceguard. However, nowadays, it has become mandatory to use one with a faceguard, with an optimum space between the peak of the helmet and the grill, so that the ball can’t pass through it. Usually, players use helmets only while batting against a pace bowler. However, it’s recommended that it be kept on even while facing slower bowlers as a precaution against a full-toss, or a top-edged sweep or pull shot. 2. Gloves: Gloves. (© Getty Images) What’s the most common injury that a batsman can face? It has to be broken fingers, considering that the hands are the closest part to the ball at the time of the impact with the bat, and just a little misjudgment on the batsman’s part, or an unexpected bounce, could cause the injury. Modern gloves are designed in such a way that they provide the most protection, in the form of padded areas on each finger, while being lightweight to not cause any discomfort in holding the bat. A pair of gloves also has unique thumb padding on the bottom hand piece, which is the right hand for a right-handed batter and left hand for a left-hander, as it is usually the bottom hand that is most susceptible to injury because of awkward bounce off the pitch. 3. Elbow Guard: (Source) The uneven bounce can also cause serious damage to the elbow, which is why elbow guard has been added to the list of modern equipments. It is worn on the bottom hand, because of the same logic mentioned above, and is made of a harder material than the padding for the gloves. Not all batsmen have to wear it; it’s entirely down to personal preference. For some, the elbow guard might cause discomfort in playing a shot. 4. Chest Guard: MS Dhoni wearing Chest Guard. (© Getty Images) Similar to the elbow guard in its material, a chest guard is worn on the right side by a right-hander and the left by a left-hander, to keep in with the same logic of which side of a batsman’s body is more exposed towards the incoming ball. It too isn’t used by all batsmen, because of the discomfort that the padding around the waist might cause. Still, just like the elbow guard, its use has become almost mandatory on bouncy tracks. 5. Box: (Source) If fingers are the most susceptible part of the body to injury while batting, what we’ll refer to as the “privates” are the most painful part for a ball to be hit, with impact, particularly for men. Which is why the box is one of the most important pieces of equipment that a batsman should use; it is available in various shapes and sizes, and is ergonomically designed. These days it even comes with suitable ventilation. 6. Thigh Pad: Thigh Pad. (© Getty Images) Thigh guard is a lightweight piece of equipment worn on the outside of the thing on the side exposed to the bowler, for protection against balls keeping low and potentially causing injury or bruises, especially when coming at a quick pace. Two straps, one around the waist, and one around the inner thigh, hold the guard in place. It, too, isn’t used as much by batsmen, because of the prospects of nagging caused by it. 7. Pads: Knee Pads. (© Getty Images) Next to the privates, the shins is the most sensitive body part where a ball striking with force can cause unbearable pain, which is why, like gloves, pads are an integral part of a batsman’s gear. Traditionally, pads were known to cause trouble while running between the wickets, especially when not fixed properly, however the modern lightweight pads make sure that it isn’t much of a discomfort running while having them on, without compromising on the safety factor. The pads are made up of similar materials as the gloves, with a horizontal panel just around the knee height for extra protection. Most pads come with three straps, which make it easier to adjust the grip or position. 8. Spikes: (Source) A batsman can choose their spikes’ type depending on the wicket they’d be playing and running on. It is known that spike shoes are good for playing on soft grounds, while rubber soles for hard surfaces. Batsmen use a combination of both, with spikes at the front, which provides proper gripping while running between the wickets, and rubber heels for the harder surface of the pitch compared to the field. 9. The Bowling Machine: Bowling Machine. (© Getty Images) From the time bowling machines have come training has become a lot easier. They help a great deal in analyzing the different aspects of a batsman’s technique by testing him with different angles and speeds. They have reduced the workload of net bowlers to a large extent. They also enable the players to test their skills with an eye on the opposition arsenal. 10. Hand Webbing and Elbow straps: Hand Webbing. (© Getty Images) These days the way fielders dive on the field for fun. Thus it is extremely crucial for them to have protective webbing on their fingers. It is almost mandatory for you to be a good fielder considering the fitness parameters world over. And thus protective tapes and elbow straps are an integral part of the safety kit.

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10 Cricket accessories and protective gears

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