equipment beginner

Choosing Cricket Gloves

Good gloves protect your hands and help your grip. Learn how to pick the right pair.

1 min read 15 min practice
Choosing Cricket Gloves
Table of Contents
  1. Fit
  2. Protection
  3. Palm material
  4. Inner gloves
  5. Wicket-keeping gloves are different
  6. Care
  7. Step-by-Step Instructions
  8. Important Tips
  9. Common Mistakes

Batting gloves protect your fingers from a hard ball travelling quickly. Fit matters more than padding.

Fit

Gloves should be snug with a small gap at the fingertips. Too loose and the glove moves on the handle, which costs feel and control. Too tight and your hands tire and lose circulation.

Protection

The most exposed area is the thumb and the fingers of the bottom hand. Look for solid protection there. Sausage-style finger padding is more flexible; moulded designs give more protection.

Palm material

Leather palms grip well and last. Synthetic palms are cheaper and lighter but wear faster. Either works — the palm is what you replace first.

Inner gloves

Cotton inners absorb sweat, improve fit and extend the life of the outer glove. They are cheap and worth having two pairs so one can dry.

Wicket-keeping gloves are different

Keeping gloves are a separate item with webbing between thumb and index finger. Batting gloves cannot be used for keeping, and keeping gloves are not legal for batting.

Care

Dry gloves at room temperature after use. Direct heat hardens the leather and cracks it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1Try the gloves on both hands.
  2. 2Check that your fingers reach the ends.
  3. 3Make a grip to test the fit.
  4. 4Check the padding on the fingers.
  5. 5Choose gloves that feel comfortable.

Important Tips

  • Gloves should be snug but not tight.
  • Look for good padding on the thumb.

Common Mistakes

  • Buying gloves that are too big.

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