10 things in cricket kit one must have:

 Quiet a lot of individuals would have played cricket at least once in their lives. It unites the people coming from different backgrounds and cultures. Many would have thought of becoming a cricketer in their childhoods but do we know that what all equipments are present in a professional cricketer’s kit bag?

      Here we are going to know about 10 most important equipments present in a kit bag :-

Bat :

It is one of the most important and  basic equipment required to play cricket. It is made of selective wood of which 2 major types are kashmir willow and english willow. The most important thing to keep in mind while selecting a bat is the quality of wood.

A bat’s weight balance, thickness and grip may also affect the performance of a player. Mostly the professional players prefer to play with english willow bats whereas entry level players play with kashmir willow which is a cheaper alternative but both are dependable in terms of quality.

Ball :

It is also a basic required equipment to play cricket. A cricket ball is made up of leather and cork . It weighs from 155.9 to 163 grams. It has so much importance that it may solely decide the outcome of the game. A cricket ball majorly has 2 types :- Red hard ball for test matches and white ball for limited over format. It basically has two parts which are stitched together and a good bowler uses the stitches and the roughness of the ball to generate movement and deceive the batsman. There are also synthetic balls for players to practice and knock their bats.

Stumps and Bails :

Stumps are also essential components to play cricket as the are crucial to decide whether a batsman is out or not. A set of 3 stumps forms a wicket and two wickets are placed at both the ends of the pitch.

  Bails are also important part of professional cricket. They are small cylindrical components placed on the top of the stumps. Bails have to be displaced from the stumps in order to get the batsman out.

Helmet:

Helmet is a protective headgear and very important for a professional batsman and wicketkeeper to protect them from head injuries. It comes in variety of materials which are harder from outside and have cushioned pad inside. They also have grille to protect the face of the batsman. It is very important to have a quality helmet and keep regular checks to ensure safety of the player.

Leg Pads:

Leg pads or leg guards also come under protective gear that are worn in the legs. They are made up of lightweight but durable materials like foam , cane and synthetic materials. They protect the entire shin and knee of the player without causing any difficulty in the movement. They protect the legs by fast bowlers and also while diving. Wicket Keepers also wear pad in single leg which is near to the stumps.

Gloves:

Gloves are wearable protective equipment for the players which ensure the safety of the fingers and the hand. They have leather palm to offer grip to the players. Also there are many layers of protection. Batsmen wear golves which offer flexibility and comfortable grip along with protection where as wicketkeepers wear gloves that are bigger in size and have extra finger protection. Cleaning and drying gloves on regular intervals increase their lifetime.

Abdomen guards:

Abdomen guards or cups are also protective equipment which are responsible for protecting the genital area of a batsman against bowlers or unexpected hit. They offer front and side protection. They are worn inside the underwear and placing them correctly is very important to ensure safety of the player. Checking and replacing them on intervals is imporant for the players to avoid injury.

Thigh guards:

Thigh guards are used to shield the thighs of the batsman and hips against fast bowling and are also a cruicial part of a cricket kit. Thigh guards have 2 separate parts which protect the inner thigh and the outer thigh and are worn separately. They are made with materials such as foam and have impact absorbing ability to minimize the risk of injury to the player. They also have a life span and are needed to be replaced timely to ensure safety.

Chest guard :

Very few of us know about this equipment but they are a important part of professional cricket. They are worn by the batsman to protect their chest from the impact of the ball. They are made with materials like foam to absorb and distribute the impact over the body. Some of the chest guards are embedded in the jersey of the player but some are to be worn as separate attachments.

Cricket Shoes:

Cricketers require specialised shoes to play the sport as there is need of spikes or rubber studs to provide traction to the player on the field. Also fast bowlers require shoes with additional ankle support to avoid injury during bowling.

Breathability and lightweight of the shoes is also a major factor as it helps the players to play for longer durations. Cricket shoes are made with synthetic materials with soft padded soles and are very costly. Proper fitting of these shoes is important for the players to remain injury free

These were the 10 most important components of a cricket kit additionally a cricket kit may also contain extra elements such as hats, eyewears, hand bands , carry bag etc. Which depend on the needs and choice of the player.