cricket
Best Cricket Bags for 2025
It really is amazing how often cricket fanatics will buy the very best equipment and then decide they are going to keep it in a tatty old worn out bag that offers very little protection. In this guide, we’re exploring some of the best cricket bags for 2022. You need a bag that gives you a great level of protection, but that is also easily portable. Ideally, you probably want some wheels so you’re not taking the weight of all that heavy equipment. Most of us village cricketers have enough risk of injury without adding back problems from carrying heavy bags. Choosing Your Cricket Bag Before providing you with some top options, it is worth exploring the decision-making process. What do you need to think about when you are buying your cricket bag? Durability. These bags will get thrown around, left in changing rooms, and in the boot of your car. The chances are, you will want a cricket bag that has the capacity to handle this kind of treatment. Wheels and straps. How are you going to carry the bag? If you are looking to take lots of equipment then slinging it over your shoulder might not be the best option, so a set of wheels, like the ones on your airport luggage, might be a good idea. Room. Does it have room for your bats? You might have multiple bats in there, or even club bats that are shared by a lot of the team members or lower order batters. You’ve got to make sure there’s plenty of space. With all this in mind, let’s explore some of your options. Best Budget Cricket Bag: Village Cricket Co. Duffle Bag Only £49 - Buy direct with Village Cricket Co. The perfect cricket bag for all your cricket gear and more. Our lightweight duffle bag designs ensures we can offer a great sized bag at a fantastic price. In the classic simple Village Cricket Co. design, it comes with absolutely everything you need. A large main compartment for your pads, gloves, helmet and other accessories, a dedicated shoe tunnel to ensure spikes don’t damage your gear. Additionally TWO external bat slots means you can double up to be ready for whatever the weekend has in store for you. Gunn & Moore Original Cricket Wheelie Duffle Bag RRP £149 – Buy on Cricket Direct This is one of the neatest bags we’ve found, with a well-thought-out design that is perfect if you like every bit of kit to have its own space. It’s big enough for you to take up to two bats, and plenty of other kit as well, with a volume in total of 126 litres. On top of that, it has all terrain wheels so when the carrying on your back becomes too much, you can drag it along behind you. The pouches and pockets seem to go on forever! There are lots of places for all of your pads and kit, in fact, one of the pouches is designed specifically for batting pads. This is also a hard-wearing piece of kit. The zippers are all rustproof, and the moulded handle as well as anti-scuff corner protectors mean that this bag should last you a number of years and stand up to some of the summer punishment you might put it through. Stretton Fox Bowden Wheelie Bag RRP £200 – Buy on Cricket Direct The Stretton Fox Bowden Wheelie Bag looks like something straight out of the 1920s! It’s one of the classiest looking bags we could imagine, but does it live up to its (admittedly large) price tag? When it comes to protecting your bats and other equipment, you’ll struggle to find much better than the Stretton Fox Bowen model. The manufacturers seem to have thought of every eventuality. It’s got a split level design so you can compartmentalise your equipment, as well as plush pockets for you to put your bat in. This gives an extra layer of protection and keeps your bat in good condition. There’s also some really cool added extras like the removable spike bag, and the protection of a tarpaulin on any areas that face the surface so you don’t have to worry too much about the weather conditions and the equipment getting rained on. The heavy duty buckles and wheels complete the package. While this might not have the look of a piece of sports kit in 2022, it certainly has the quality. You’ll look like the gentleman cricketer turning up on a Saturday with this containing your bats and pads. Kookaburra Pro 3.5 Wheelie Bag RRP £70 – Buy on Cricket Direct You can usually rely on the Kookaburra brand to provide some decent cricket kit, and this is one of the more reasonably-priced bags. Not as big as some of the other options, you may not want to use this if you are the sort of cricketer who wants to carry 18 bats and 14 backup sets of gloves. However, for most club and village cricketers it offers good protection. It is made out of 600 and 500D materials that give plenty of protection against the elements and shouldn’t tear easily, and has a decent capacity of 85 litres in total. As well as fitting plenty inside the bag, it has external pockets which are great for putting items that you might need to pick up quickly or at short notice, rather than rummaging around the inside of the bag. There are also holders for drinks bottles on the outside. This bag is new for 2022 and represents good value for money for a lot of amateur cricketers who want to protect that equipment they’ve spent their hard-earned cash on. Gray-Nicolls Team 350 Wheelie Bag RRP £50 – Buy on Cricket Direct You may not usually associate Gray-Nicolls with the cheap option when it comes to cricket, but this is a very affordable cricket bag that does a perfectly good job, especially for the village cricketer. It’s a mid-level bag with a fairly big storage area, and while it’s the smallest option on this list it still has room for your bat and the rest of your equipment. The extra long pull handle also makes it easy to take out and about with you. The wheels are fairly high-quality, and this is a pretty basic but reliable bag. It has all you need without too many extra pockets or compartments. You can choose between the Red/Black and Silver/Black colour schemes. Gray-Nicolls Prestige Cricket Rucksack RRP £30 – Buy on Cricket Direct A bonus option for those of us who have already sorted a mode of transport for our bat (or are borrowing our friends knowing we’ll probably only make 3 runs). This is a simple rucksack made with the cricketer in mind. It’s good for taking your clothes with you and even has a valuables section, and a laptop section in case you want to analyse some cricket techniques (or just watch Netflix). It’s pretty lightweight and doesn’t give a huge level of protection, but the added pockets come in really handy for keeping all your gloves and extra cricket gear exactly where you need it. It’s an affordable option and is much more lightweight and easy to carry than the other options on this list. Conclusion Ready to take the plunge and buy your cricket bag ready for the new season? Everyone has slightly different needs from their bat, so make sure you’ve thought about how much equipment you want to carry with you, and whether you just have to cater for your own gear or whether half of the team will want to add their kit to your bag. Either way, there are some great options on this list from top cricket bags. Keep your kit protected for seasons to come.
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Best Cricket Bat For Beginners (it doesn't need to be expensive)
Cricket is a wonderful sport for many reasons, one of which is that you will always find a village team happy to welcome beginners, whether you are 16 or 56. The village cricket scene is alive and well for amateurs, and if you’re a young, aspiring cricketer who wants to progress, the county and club scene offers plenty of opportunities. There are some downsides as a beginner, and it can be really tough to choose the right equipment if you don’t really know a lot about the sport and playing the sport. That’s where we come in. Our guide shows some of the best cricket bats for beginners so that you can choose the ideal model to suit your needs. Another downside is the potential price of the bat. A lot of the very best cricket bats are very expensive. If you’re a beginner, you’ll already have to spend money on whites and pads. Spending £500 on a bat is not really an option for a lot of people, and it isn’t justified for a hobby you’ve only just started. In this guide, we’re going to walk you through some of the best cricket bats for beginners, but first, a buying guide to help you to make the right decision. How to Choose a Beginner Cricket Bat Looking through a cricket store can be really overwhelming. There are so many different bats, sizes, designs, weights… It is really easy to make a mistake. Once you’ve bought the bat as well, you need to know a little about bat care such as knocking in to ensure that the bat stays in good condition. If not, you might buy a bat only to have it get damaged the very first time you use it. Let’s try to demystify some of the terms and help you to find the right bat. Wood If you want a hard ball cricket bat it really needs to be made out of some form of Salix Alba Willow. English Willow is historically popular, but many cricket bats, like the Village Cricket Bat, are now made out of Kashmir willow. This is the exact same tree species as English Willow but grown in India. It is more affordable, and the environment it is grown in gives it a slightly harder and darker character. The grade of the wood is also crucial. The higher the grade, the more expensive the bat is likely to be. High grade bats tend to be used by the professionals rather than village players. Read more about grades below. Size What do all these sizes mean when you are looking to buy a bat? It doesn’t have to be too difficult. For a junior bat, you can follow our guide to the size. For a senior bat, the majority of people will just want an SH bat, which means short handle. LH bats are also an option if you are particularly tall, they’re designed to feel more comfortable for players over 6’3”. Weight Bat weights can vary greatly, from around 2lb 7oz up to above 3lb. This is one of the areas where beginners will usually want to get something versatile but also steer clear of heavier bats they don’t know that they can handle. Between 2lb 7oz and 2lb 10oz should give you a versatile bat to get you started Pick Up and Middle These terms relate to what it feels like when you hit the ball and how well you will connect with certain deliveries. A low middle suits a lower bounce, and helps you to get the “pick up” you need to hit the ball further. Some bats are also designed with curvature to help get more power and loft into the shots. Though it is a case of working out what you like, if you are playing on English village pitches, a low middle may help you to play your shots. Brand Is brand important? Well, it can be an indicator of quality, and some brands have worked really hard to protect their reputation for making brilliant bats. Brand certainly isn’t everything. The important thing is to find a well-made bat, and to get one that is good value, you might want to ignore some of the big brands, who have their own sponsorship and marketing costs to deal with, that are inevitably passed to the consumer. There are a lot of smaller brands doing great things in the world of cricket and cricket equipment. Price How much are you going to spend on your bat? Honestly, if you go into the market hoping to get something for £30, you aren’t going to find a bat that can even cope with a hard cricket ball. It will break, and it isn’t worth it. Instead, it is worth investing a little more for a bat that is going to last. However, you don’t have to spend £500 to get a great bat to help you score thousands of runs. Our Advice for a Beginner Bat When you choose a cricket bat for the first time, you need to focus on versatility and affordability. We don’t recommend spending a fortune on your first ever bat, and on top of that, you may not know much about your style yet. A lot of cricketers develop their own specific way of playing, you might try to play big shots and rack up huge scores, or you might just be happy waiting and playing at your own pace to try and build up a score gradually. You may be more of a “touch” player. Some bats are designed to suit each style of play, and some can handle any style. When you don’t really know what you like or which bat feels natural, it is a good idea to pick something versatile. The Village Cricket Bat There’s no need for a beginner to spend a fortune on a new bat, and you can get a versatile model without having to spend a ridiculous amount. In fact, with the Village Cricket Bat, you can get a reliable willow bat, capable of dealing with the hard ball, for under £100. The bat is made out of Salix Alba Willow, which means that it is much more affordable to produce, and those savings can be passed on, but it is still an exceptional bat with the same durability (if not more) than English Willow. The 2lb 9oz design is versatile, so allows touch players and delicate strikers of the ball to play their shots, but also allows you to generate great bat speed and connect with sixes and fours. This is a beginner bat, but it is also good enough to keep you scoring runs for years to come. It has been designed to stand up to the hard ball and comes with its own bag. It’s also knocked in, ready to take to nets or for your next game. This isn’t just a beginner bat, it is an affordable and versatile bat that has a huge amount of quality. The simple design means it won’t restrict you, however you want to play cricket, and the low middle has been made specifically for the English cricket pitch conditions. Nobody who is just starting to play cricket is thrilled by the idea of spending £500 on a bat, so the idea that you can get something quality for 20% of this is helpful for all village crickets. It helps us to complete our mission of making cricket more accessible. TON Pure Drive Cricket Bat RRP: £190 – Buy on Cricket Direct The TON brand makes some pretty impressive cricket bats, and this model has been made in the same shape as some of the other models on their list. It has a large playing area and a great, balanced bat. If you middle it, it stays hit. This uses English Willow, but it is grade 4, so it is not as high quality as some of the other bats on the market. This is how the price is kept to a reasonable level. The willow is air dried and combined with the shape of this bat give a really nice pickup. It has a quality toe guard and Camo ZiggZagg grip, and it definitely feels like a quality bat in your hand. While the wood has imperfections, the bat will serve you well on village cricket pitches around the country. It doesn’t come knocked in, but some of the companies you can buy it from will offer this as an extra service. Hunts County Neo 450 Cricket Bat RRP £175 – Buy from Cricket Direct If you like the idea of being a bigger hitter, then this bat could be a relatively affordable option for you. It comes with a choice of weights, from 2lb 9oz all the way up to nearly 3lb. This is great for those who want to be able to choose the ideal bat for them, but it can also be tempting to buy a big heavy bat in the hope that it helps you score six after six. This doesn’t always translate. If you haven’t built up the power and strength to handle a heavy bat then you may not be able to get the speed to hit big shots with a heavy bat. Stick to a lighter bat if you aren’t sure. Even the lighter options have got a large profile, and thick edges so even if you don’t middle it you might end up scoring plenty of runs. The bowed blade can help you to generate that extra power, too. If you’re a bigger cricketer this is also available in an LH design. With an Aqua grip, toe protection, and a reinforced blade, this is also a durable bat. Knock it in correctly and take good care of the bat, and you’ll end up with a companion to take out to the middle with you for the coming seasons. The willow is grade three, which is certainly acceptable for the average village cricketer though you aren’t likely to see this specific bat in any upcoming international cricket. If you’re worried that you might not have the power to deal with this bat then you may want to opt for one of the other bats. To get the best results with the Hunts County Neo 450 Cricket Bat we do recommend a bulkier build and plenty of strength. This may not be the biggest cricket brand in the world, but sometimes that can be a good way to get a quality bat made with extra care and attention. Finding the Best Cricket Bat for Beginners It’s not easy. If you don’t understand the terms in cricket and what the different weights and grades mean, it can be hard to feel confident that you are actually making the right decision when it comes to finding a bat. Our list provides you with some excellent options for your first ever cricket season, and allows you to go to practice at the nets, safe in the knowledge you have a high quality bat that will do the job. Our Village Cricket Bat has been designed to help you to get a quality bat without spending too much of your hard-earned cash, and to keep things simple. You also get a 12-month warranty with the bat so you can rest assured of the quality.
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Best Cricket Bats for 2025 (for all budgets & abilities)
Finding the best cricket bats for your own unique needs can be tough. Everyone needs something slightly different from a bat, and the more research you do, the more you realise that there is a lot of nuance on the market. This isn’t just a case of getting the first plank of wood you can find and starting to hit, cricket bats have been crafted and refined over hundreds of years, and we have a huge amount of choice on the market today. In this guide, we’re explaining everything that you need to look for when you are buying a cricket bat in 2025, as well as providing you with a rundown of some of the very best options on the market, including budget choices (we know that cricket can get very expensive). The Best Bats For 2025 Let’s run through some of the best cricket bat options for 2025. We’ve got something for every price range and type of player listed below… The Village Cricket Bat – Best Value Bat (Only £117) Buy now from Village Cricket Co. Can you really get a cricket bat that costs less than £120 and has the quality to see you through season after season in your local league? The answer is “yes”. The Village Cricket Co. has designed an amazing bat for a fraction of the price as many other models, by using one simple design and Salix Alba willow sourced in India. This is still high-grade wood that can last you season after season, it just doesn’t have the inflated price of English Willow. The bat itself is 2lb 9oz with a low middle, perfect for English conditions. The bat weight means that it is very versatile, and can be used by both huge hitters and those who are more delicate touch players. It’s even got a warranty of 12 months. At a price like this, the bat is relatively simple and no frills, but it still has a great design that has been properly thought-out to make it suitable for English pitches. You can choose between SH, LH, Harrow, and all junior sizes, so there is an option for every cricketer and aspiring cricketer. Gunn & Moore Diamond – Best Signature Bat A lot of the very best bats on the market are made by some of the smaller brands out there, but sometimes the mammoth brands come out with an absolute gem. That’s exactly what this Diamond bat is It is a little bit on the expensive side for the casual cricketer, but if you are looking for a beautiful pickup and a well-made bat then this is up there with the very best. All GM LE bats have excellent Grade 1 willow, and it is hard to find any significant blemishes on the bat, and it feels a little lower in density than some of the other options on the market. The manufacturing was all designed to make a bat for superstar batsman Ben Stokes. GM worked with the England cricketer on the design of the bat, and it has a few interesting design features as a result. The bat is about 10mm longer than most other bats, at 555mm, but this is because of Stokes’ request for a longer blade. It’s got a high spine, too, made by GM in their “GMX” manufacturing method to try and help players to generate even more power. The bat is on the heavier end of the spectrum at around 2lbs 11oz. If you don’t really have the power to back this up then you might want to think about a lighter bat. Ben Stokes definitely does have the power to hit the bigger shots, as you know. If you are a big hitter, looking for a bat that can back you up, this could be a brilliant option. It’s not cheap, but it isn’t the most expensive bat you can find either, at an RRP of £440 (some other bats will cost £700-1000). Viking Cricket Jorvik – Best Cricket Bat With Customisation Viking Cricket is a relatively small(ish) brand making some fantastic bats for club cricketers (and village cricketers who don’t mind shelling out a little more). They have had some serious acclaim, such as being named in the “top 7 best bats of 2017” in The Telegraph magazine. The Yorkshire-based brand named their bats after the Viking past in the region. The English Willow they use is grown in Suffolk (a lot of English Willow is). The Jorvik is a really impressive bat from an independent brand who clearly spend a lot of time and due care providing quality, hand-made bats for their customers. It feels great in the hand, and with its low middle it is another bat that is good for English conditions. One of the main reasons why we’ve included it on our list of the best cricket bats is the fact that you can customise this bat to your own needs. When you are ordering, you can “build” your bat, choosing between different wood qualities (SE Grade 1, PRO Grade 2 & CLUB Grade 3), whether it is long handle or short handle, and even the weight of the bat. You are effectively choosing roughly what piece of wood you want to be used to make your perfect blade. Though you can get a 2lb 8oz to 2lb 10 oz model, the Jorvik bat lives up to its powerful name with the option to buy a massive 3lb bat. If you don’t have the power to back this up, steer clear, but if you are a muscular cricketer with a large build, and you want to mash sixes like you’re Liam Livingstone, you might venture to the 3lb end of the market. These bats aren’t astronomically priced. While you can get a decent and reliable bat for cheaper, this is a good choice if you want to spend a little bit more, but you don’t want your cricket bat to cost more than a few months of rent or mortgage payments! Prophecy Vision – Small Brand, Powerful Bats The Prophecy Vision cricket bat is a good option for those who want English Willow that doesn’t cost the earth. These bats have a really smart and intuitive design, and they play beautifully. The English Willow wood used is always Grade 1, and while you might find the odd imperfection, it is generally very high-quality. That bat has been built for playing big shots with comfort. It has a mid-blade swell designed to help you to play a variety of different shots. Every bat is hand-made to order, which also means you can request certain custom options including the weight, with a range from 2lb 8oz to 2lb 11oz. The semi-oval handle also helps to make this bat more comfortable even when you’re reaching and playing massive shots. It doesn’t come knocked in, and because it is bespoke, it may take a little longer for your bat to arrive. However, that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a fantastic option, and it absolutely stands up next to bats that are much more expensive. Millichamp & Hall F100 SE – Best Craftsmanship The F100 bat is a thing of beauty. It is made with incredible craftsmanship, and is further proof that the M&H brand is one of the best small manufacturers of cricket bats. The brand is used by England cricketers such as Jack Leach. This is one of the most popular bats in the range, but it is also one of the most expensive. It can help with the performance of virtually every type of batter. The pickup gives plenty of power and can hit the sixes (if you’ve got the arm for it) but it is also a well-balanced bat with options of just 2lb 8oz in weight, meaning that it is quite delicate and suits the touch player, too. As soon as you hold this bat you’ll feel the quality. The brand describes the F100 is the “pinnacle of M&H’s craftsmanship”. As well as a great pickup, it has a tapered toe to help with power generation, and generous edges to help the ball to fly even when you don’t quite middle it. It’s a good bat for hitting to all parts of the ground. This bat has a pronounced bow, too, giving you that extra bit of help picking up the power. It conforms to ICC and MCC cricket bat regs, so when you get that England callup you’ve been expecting, you will know that the bat can handle it. Another minor detail, but one that we love, is the fact that there is a huge choice when it comes to stickers and detailing on the batt, so you can customise the look and really make it your own. There are a variety of different colours, but the same exceptional bat underneath. MRF Genius Chase Master Cricket Bat – Best for Touch Players This is Virat Kohli’s signature bat, made in conjunction with MRF. It’s got a mid sweet spot and a balanced design, as well as a very manageable weight. This makes it a perfect choice for a touch player. Don’t get us wrong, this can also handle hitting some big power shots, but generally speaking a lot of people prefer this bat for working the ball into spaces. It’s also got plenty of power off the toe and the shoulder just in case you don’t middle it. With a handmade design and a lovely distribution, this feels incredibly high-quality when you pick it up. The bat weight is between 2lb 8oz and 2lb 12oz but most seem to be at the lower end of that, making it easier to generate a fair amount of bat speed. If this is good enough for Virat, it’s good enough for the majority of players! However, keep in mind the fact that this is going to cost more than £500. It is one of the most expensive models on the list, and while it is fantastic in terms of quality, the craftsmanship of the M&H model is probably that little bit higher. That said, it is great for the player who likes to build an innings and spend some time at the crease, and can help you to score hundreds of runs. Cricket Bat Buying Guide Before giving you some of the very best options for bats to buy, let’s explore the criteria you should be working to. The below considerations are crucial, and they could all impact on the choice you finally make when it comes to buying your bat. Size Cricket bats do come in different sizes, but for adult male batters, the majority go for full-sized bats, which are split into “SH” and “LH” categories. SH stands for short handle, while LH stands for long handle. A long handle model is usually only really suitable for people who are 6’2” or taller, but there is an element of personal preference. The next size down is an in-between size, Harrow. This is often used by smaller players and may be preferred by teenagers and adolescents rather than people who have grown to their full-frame. Beneath this, we have the junior sizes. The size guide below will help you to match the bat size to the age and size of the aspiring cricketer! Weight The weight of the bat could play a big part in your decision. Bats tend to weigh between 2lb 7oz and 2lb 12oz but this isn’t a prerequisite and you do find some bats that are a slightly different weight. Generally speaking, the people who buy a heavy bat are those who have a lot of power, and are still able to generate a significant bat speed using a big heavy piece of wood. If you can’t do so, a lighter bat can allow you to generate that bat speed and access all of the shots you might want to play, letting you be more “nimble” with your shot selection. Middle The “middle” of the bat is a term you will hear a lot when you are playing cricket, or in commentary. This is basically the part of the bat where you want to make contact with the ball for the majority of shots. For example, some bats have a “low middle” like the Village Cricket Bat, this helps with the low and slow bounce of the English pitches. It means that the ball’s bounce is more likely to take it straight onto the middle of your bat and help you to generate more power. Bats with a higher middle may be better suited to bouncy pitches. Like a lot of aspects of cricket, this is one of the things that comes down to personal preference. Wood Type (and Grade) Cricket bats are made out of willow, right? Yes, the majority of great bats are made out of willow, but within this category there are some nuances and information to be aware of. Not all of the willow used is English. English Willow is expensive, and this can drive the price of the bats up, often to silly levels for village cricketers. Salix Alba willow from India, also known as Kashmir Willow, is a fantastic alternative. The tree species is the same as English Willow, but the differences come from the conditions in which the tree itself is grown, and the climate in the area. A lot of bats are made in India anyway, so using a local willow can help save money. The Village Cricket Co. has taken advantage of this willow to make an affordable yet reliable bat for our customers. Cricket bats also come in different grades of willow. Grade 1 is the very best available, with Grade 5 being the lowest grade. On a Grade 1 bat, expect “at least 6 fairly straight grains visible on the face. There may be a small knot or speck in the edge or back of the bat but the playing should be clean.” (Kookaburra). As you will have worked out, the higher the grade, the more pro the bat. We don’t all need a Grade 1 to get by. Price In an ideal world, we would all be able to spend £400+ on a beautiful bat, but this is not realistic. There are some incredible bats out there if you are able to spend £500 or so, but for most of us, this isn’t realistic, especially if you are playing at a low level. A budget English Willow bat may cost close to £300, which is still high. Our bat is designed to cater for those who want reliability with affordability. We’re proud of creating a quality bat under £100 that is perfect for the amateur cricketer. Other Considerations We could spend all day talking about the ins and outs of bat choice, but let’s keep things a little more simple. Some of the other considerations for choosing a bat include: Is it knocked in? Knocking in can be a long and arduous process, or an added cost if you get someone else to do it. Why not buy a bat that is ready to go as soon as it arrives? Guarantee. Do you get a money back guarantee or a warranty when buying the bat? Brand. Are you buying from a quality and reputable brand? Your style of shot play. If you love to play drives then a low middle is ideal, for instance. If you want to be a ‘360’ player then you shouldn’t buy a bat that is too heavy as this can make it really difficult to play shots all around the ground. When you want to buy a cricket bat, you are faced with hundreds of different choices. Even once you’ve decided on a manufacturer or a model of cricket bat, you may have to make further choices such as whether or not you want to pay for knocking in, or whether you are going to request a specific weight. Our guide to the best cricket bats on the market in 2025 has something for everyone, and can also help to guide you through some of those difficult decisions to ensure you have a bat you are happy with and that will last you season after season, even if you don’t have a huge budget.
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Best Cricket Books for 2025
Does any sport have as much great reading material as cricket? Whether your favourite cricket books are autobiographies to read on your next trip, tips about playing the game, or those quirky books that the gentleman’s sport seems to give us year after year. A lot of the books on this list have been released in the last year or two, so you may not have got round to reading them yet. Let’s dive into our list of the best cricket books for 2025. Dales, Bails and Cricket Club Tales Spring’s arrival signals the return of club cricket. For enthusiasts, this means the satisfying sound of ball meeting bat, the familiar shout of ‘Howzat!’, and the aroma of freshly baked scones. John Fuller guides readers through Yorkshire’s amateur cricket scene, exploring the quirky customs of indoor nets, lively pitches, bowling amidst sheep’s bleats, hitting sixes into the ocean, and enjoying the county’s finest cricket tea. £4.99 (Kindle). £7.99 (Paperback) from Amazon. Test Match Special: Tall Tales – The Good The Bad and The Hilarious from the Commentary Box TMS has that beautiful ability to make you feel like you’re at the cricket even when you’re thousands of miles away. Whether it’s the humour among the iconic voices in the commentary box, the stats, or the mishaps and hilarity that always seems to ensue, Test Match Special is always a good listen. This book is written by Aggers and Phil Tufnell and promises plenty of funny stories from the box and beyond, and has contributions from the likes of Isa Guha, Ebony Rainford Brent, Carlos Brathwaite and Aatif Nawaz. This promises to be some light and breezy reading, perfect for this year’s summer escape. £20 – Waterstones It’s Always Summer Somewhere: A Matter of Life and Cricket This book is a love letter to cricket from Felix White, who you may know for all sorts of reasons. His work with The Maccabees, or with the hit podcast Tailenders, or his sports and music writing. Perhaps the most stunning example of his writing is in this Sunday Times Bestseller which has been lauded by the likes of Stephen Fry, and features “drop-in” cameos from the likes of Nasser Hussain and Phil Tufnell. Felix manages to use his relationship and love of cricket to tell a fascinating life story, which covers all sorts of issues including his experiences with grief. Don’t be surprised to be wiping a tear from your eye when reading this book. All-in-all, it is just a cricket fan pouring his heart out, and even giving some coverage to the World Cup Final of 2019, which is a drama that every Englishman will happily relive. £8.99 – Waterstones Bowl. Sleep. Repeat.: Inside the World of England’s Greatest-Ever Bowler Felix White is with us again for this journey into the career of a true modern great. Jimmy Anderson is one of those cricketers who remains an enigma, and his incredible career has seen some real ups and downs. This doesn’t have the feel of one of those autobiographies that is just published for the sake of it at the end of a career. The fact that it is written in collaboration with White gives it the feel of an old friend chatting to you about their fascinating life so far. This book may actually change some perceptions of Jimmy, too. Some people see him as the grumpy northerner or the shy and retiring type, but this puts pay to some of those theories as Anderson takes us through some rip-roaring anecdotes from his career as a world-leading bowler. £9.99 – Waterstones Hitting Against the Spin: How Cricket Really Works This book promises to answer some of the questions that a lifelong cricket fan will inevitably have, and it comes with some impressive testimonials already! ‘Fascinating and insightful . . . lifts the curtain to reveal the inner workings of international cricket. A must-read for any cricketer, coach or fan’ – Eoin Morgan ‘This path-breaking book should be compulsory reading for commentators and captains – and all cricket fans’ – Mervyn King The book has been compared to cricket’s answer to “A Brief History of Time”, as the authors take an analytical look at some facts and figures from the history of cricket, as well as setting out to answer some of those questions for the ages, such as “does it really matter to win the toss?” and “what is the science behind swinging a ball?” It promises to be a must-read for the superfan. £10.99 – Waterstones The Book of Fred You can always rely on Freddie Flintoff. With the ball, the bat, the chip fryer, in the boxing ring, and driving the latest car… To say he has had a varied career would be an understatement, and though this isn’t his first foray into writing, Freddie’s latest book still has some cracking stories and provides us with plenty of fun and anecdotes, including the time he accidentally upset national treasure Bruce Forsyth. The book is generally a humorous memoir, but it has some serious moments too, and even some of the traits Freddie attributes his continued success to. Once again, this is another autobiographical book that just might make the list of poolside reading when you go on your holiday this year. £16.99 – Waterstones Ten to Win… And the Last Man In: My Pick of Test Match Cliffhangers Henry Blofeld is a cricket icon and fans of a certain vintage continue to adore his writing now that he’s called it a day on his broadcasting career. Blofeld writes with a passion for the game and the same charm and wit we all know him for in this, a book dedicated to the cliffhangers we’ve seen over the years of test cricket, and there have been plenty to choose from. Blofeld indulges England fans with that incredible Ben Stokes innings from 2019, too. Some of the matches discussed go as far back as 1902, though, and Henry’s enthusiasm shines through on every page. As he puts it himself, ‘what an absurdly irresistible game cricket can be’. £20 – Waterstones Why We Kneel, How We Rise – Michael Holding It started with a rain delay. Michael Holding’s impassioned speech about taking the knee in cricket and all sports provoked an emotional response and rightly went viral. Now he has written Why We Kneel, How We Rise, and shared the story of black athletes around the world, the history of racism and dehumanising of black people, and what it is like to experience racism. There are contributions from huge names including Thierry Henry, Michael Johnson, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Makhaya Ntini, Naomi Osaka and Usain Bolt The message is powerful, and perfectly delivered. This book isn’t the light reading that some of the other options on the list provide, but it is vitally important, moving, and fascinating all at the same time. £20 – Waterstones Cricket has given rise to some incredible books, and as you can see from our list, they often have an impact far beyond the cricket pitch. Whether it is a breezy and funny Sunday afternoon book you want or something to thrill and educate you about the history of the sport, there’s an option on the list for you.
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Cricket Bowling Machines: Your Best Options
While cricket continues to grow in popularity, it is a difficult sport to practice on your own. This is especially true if you want to practice batting. Even if you are lucky enough to have access to nets to use (in some parts of the world these are pretty scarce) you still need to find a bowler. That is unless you use a bowling machine. These machines can ping balls to you as if a bowler were delivering them, or at least as if you were getting some throwdowns to help you improve your batting technique. Bowling machines vary greatly in features and price tag, and in this guide, we’ve got a rundown of some of the best options so you can decide exactly what is best for you. Many are even affordable enough to use in the garden. What is a Bowling Machine? A bowling machine is simply a device that you feed balls into, that then sends deliveries down the pitch as if they were coming from a bowler. They allow batters to practise their hitting. If you have a bowling machine you don’t even need anyone out with you to practice, and you can use them with or without nets. Another benefit is the fact that some of the professional bowling machines can let you practice against different types of deliveries or faster balls than you would be used to with your friends in the park. Some argue that bowling machines aren’t a substitute for match situations. That’s definitely true. There’s an art to reading the bowler and you can’t pick that up without facing a human, but for practising technique they are ideal. Features to Consider What features do you need to consider when buying a bowling machine? Price. A lot of the professional machines can cost a pretty penny. Luckily, in recent years more of a home bowling machine market has emerged, and there are affordable options for village cricket clubs, rather like our Village Cricket Bat! Speed. How quickly can the machine bowl? If it only does the sort of speed you expect from a slow village bowler then you might not improve your skills at much. Too quick and you might never hit a ball! Ball capacity. How many balls can you put in? What type of cricket balls does it take? Most models use practice balls. The bigger capacity, the more batting time before you have to refill. Settings. There are some other settings on some models including the length and type of delivery, and time between the deliveries. Settings vary depending on which machine you buy. Power. How is the machine powered? If you need mains power then the machine isn’t going to be as portable. Best Bowling Machines Here are some great bowling machine options to fit different budgets: Speed Buddy Cricket Bowling Machine The Speed Buddy Bowling Machine has the capacity to ping balls at up to 55mph so you can practice hitting at a testing speed. It’s not a bad price, and does a good job for practising at home or even within a club setting. The balls are released every 6-8 seconds on the automatic mode, or can be fed in by a coach. See it in action below: The machine works with specific Feed Buddy balls, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a stock of these. You can also stack up to 10 of the balls if you are hitting on your own. The machine even has in-swing and out-swing options with adjustable controls for you to practice facing swing bowling, as well as three different speed settings. This isn’t the cheapest model on the market but it is very affordable compared to some professional bowling machines. Feed Buddy Automatic Cricket Feed Machine – Affordable and Compact Not to be confused with the “Speed Buddy” the “Feed Buddy” is a more compact and affordable product. The product doesn’t have the same speed as some of the other models, but it is much more portable than most. It lets you use 4D batteries so you can take it anywhere. On top of that, you can use either tennis balls or the branded Feed Buddy Light Balls. Because the feed of balls is very gentle this is a good option for kids or beginners. You can use it in your cricket club too. It’s a good alternative to having someone give you throwdowns, and it is perfect for practising hitting technique. The price tag is something that a lot of people will find very appealing. It’s more “Christmas pressie” than “small car” in terms of its price tag! Bola Professional Bowling Machine Now, when we say “professional” be warned that the price matches the tag for this bowling machine. If you’re really serious about your cricket club and have money to invest then the Bola machine could be the ideal way to work on your skills. It is used by many test-playing nations in their net sessions, and you can see why, it probably isn’t the best bet for junior cricketers unless you know exactly what you are doing with the settings. You can adjust the speed all the way up to 95 mph, and see what it is like to face a ball of this speed in training. The concave profile is great for delivering the ball quickly, and the control panel is easy to get to grips with. You can change 19 settings and choose to face swing, pace, or even spin bowling. This may be the closest you can get to facing a ball from a professional bowler, besides the real thing. It’s not affordable for many cricket clubs or individuals, but it wouldn’t be right to make a list of the best cricket bowling machines and not include a Bola brand machine. Summary From the simple, portable machines that ping out slow-paced deliveries for you to practice technique, to the machines that simulate 95 mph snorters, there is a bowling machine out there that is suitable for your needs. The options on this list all have their charms and each can help you to improve your technique.
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Best Cricket Batting Gloves for 2025 (for all budgets)
If you’ve ever gone into bat and been hit on the knuckles, you’ll know that even with a pair of gloves on, it can really hurt. Protection for your hands is actually only one of the main purposes of gloves as, all being well, they should help your batting to improve as well. In this guide, we’re taking an in-depth look at some of the best batting gloves available today, and reviewing these gloves to help you to make the right buying decision based on your needs. First, we’ve put together a buying guide. Cricket gloves aren’t an everyday purchase so you might need to do a bit of research before hitting the buy button. The Best Cricket Gloves: Reviewed Let’s move on to our picks of the best gloves currently on the market. Village Cricket Co Batting Gloves – Best Budget Pick Only £39 – Buy from Village Cricket Co. As we’re often explaining on this blog, cricket equipment can get really expensive, but gloves don’t have to cost you the earth. Our batting gloves offer you all the protection you need, even when you are playing hard ball cricket, and they are available at a fraction of the price of some other brands. The high quality PU and ultralight foam that sit within the finger rolls helps to absorb the impact when a ball hits the glove, and there is a reinforced finger section for all of your fingers and a bar to protect your thumb on the dominant side. This is a clever design function to make sure every part of your hand is covered. Even though these gloves are much cheaper than most competing models at just £39 for a pair, there have been no sacrifices when it comes to quality of materials. A premium leather palm helps you to retain fantastic grip of the bat, even for a long innings, and helps with comfort. The high quality PU and ultralight foam in the finger rolls rival any other brand on the market. The design is simple and effective, and these gloves can last you many years if you take good care of them. Gray-Nicolls Legend Cricket Batting Gloves – Flexible Batting Gloves RRP £120 – Buy from Cricket Direct You can usually rely on Gray-Nicolls to make some quality cricket equipment, and their Legend Cricket Batting Gloves are no exception. These are significantly more expensive than the Village Cricket Co. option. They do have a really impressive amount of flexibility in the fingers, with three to four sections allowing for a lot of movement and grip. As you’d expect for the money, they are also made out of high-quality materials. The sides of the gloves feature a ‘Trizone Pro Shield Impact Bar’ which basically protects the side of the hand, which can be a tough area to ensure isn’t at risk of a painful connection with the ball. If you like to play sweep shots or unorthodox shots, this protection might be essential. The Gripster Leather is also a quality addition which has a really great level of grip but also doesn’t degrade with use. In fact, the manufacturers claim it gets better over time, with more friction being generated with the bat. The towelling wristband is another bonus, especially on hot and sweaty days, when you’re wearing all that heavy equipment and just want the option to wick some of the sweat away. All-in-all, it’s hard to argue with these gloves in terms of quality, the price tag is just a bit higher than the average beginner or village cricketer will want to spend. Kookaburra Ghost Pro Cricket Batting Gloves – Best For Big Hands RRP £100 – Buy on Cricket Direct Looking for cricket gloves to suit bigger hands? These Kookaburra gloves do a brilliant job, especially if you buy them in the oversized adult size. If you find that a lot of the standard sizes are just a little too tight then you might need to buy something with a specific larger size. These aren’t just a plus-size option, though. They feature an exceptional Quartz Leather palm, and some great protection for your fingers, including high-density foam and reinforced fibre inserts on the fingers. These gloves have been reengineered for 2025, and you can see from the vented design on the fingers, there is a good level of airflow through the gloves, helping to avoid them getting too clammy, even if you’re lucky enough to bat for a long time without getting a ball with your name on it. The sleek design is another plus point, but as always, this is only ever going to be a bonus, and the main thing is the excellent protection offered to your fingers and the brilliant grip. Adidas Incurza 1.0 Batting Gloves RRP £90 – Buy on Cricket Direct The Incurza gloves have an eye catching design and multiple colour schemes to choose between. They also offer excellent build-quality and a lightweight design, whilst still giving protection using quality PU material on the back of the glove. The gloves have a split finger, V-shield design which allows you to generate a lot of movement in fingers and thumb, so there is a great level of flexibility to them. TPU inserts are pretty good in terms of the protection they offer, especially when you consider that they weigh less than 180 grams per glove. This lightweight design is aided by the Pittard leather design, which covers the thumb to offer even more protection, and the palm has standard sheepskin leather which does a good job of allowing for a strong level of grip. Some of the Adidas equipment on the market divides opinion, but these are some great gloves, and while not exactly cheap, they’re a little less expensive than some of the competing options on the list. Ezza Pure Batting Gloves – Newcomer RRP £69.99 – Buy on ezzacricket.com These batting gloves are Ezza’s first venture into the market. They were designed with the highest quality, comfort, and protection in mind. Using Pittards leather the gloves feel nice to wear, maximising comfort and durability. The gloves feature Ultra-light high density foam, they also have additional impact bars on the side of the gloves. A new brand to the market, but the feedback they have received is that these gloves are so comfortable, and the colours make them stand out. Gunn & Moore Original L.E Cricket Batting Gloves – Classic Design RRP £135 – Buy on Cricket Direct Looking for some cricket gloves with a really classic look to them? These GM Original LE gloves are incredibly durable and hard-wearing, and can last a very long time if you look after them. They’re the most expensive set on the list, so you would expect that kind of level of quality. These have been reengineered and upgraded for 2025, but the original, classic design was already very well-made, with only the best materials. This includes a Pittard Leather palm which is great for your grip, as we’ve already established. It also has a huge level of protection on the rear of the hand, so even if you get hit by a brand new ball travelling at a high speed, you won’t wake up with a bruised (or worse) finger in the morning. The pro PU material on the back of the hand is backed up by a plastic fibre shell that helps to deflect the ball and look after your hands and knuckles. There are high density foam inserts and cotton finger rolls which keep it comfortable and the sweatband on the bottom of the gloves allows you to wipe away the moisture from your brow! In total, the gloves weigh just 440 grams. These gloves are available in right-handed and left-handed designs, in small adult, adult, and large adult sizes. How to Choose Cricket Gloves Let’s dive into the main things to consider before you make your purchase. Like everything in cricket, it’s vital to do a bit of research. Protection We’d say this should be the number one consideration when you want to buy cricket batting gloves. There is every chance you’ll be hit, even if you do have Steve Smith’s reactions. If you get hit on the knuckles and you aren’t wearing something that offers enough protection, it can be extremely painful. Just like this is one of the most painful places to get a tattoo, it is also one of the most painful places to get hit by a hard ball going 70 miles per hour. Who knew? Many cricket gloves are designed with hard-wearing protective bars, foam insides to absorb the impact, and a reinforced section for each finger. Grip Grip is one of the most important factors to consider, too. There’s no point in having a brilliantly protective set of batting gloves only to find that it feels like trying to hold a bar of soap. This is why there are certain types of equipment in the cricket world where it is really important to get quality products. If not, it can impact your game a lot. Many gloves have some form of leather or synthetic leather palms, and aid with the grip of your bat, especially when coming into contact with the bat grip itself. Comfort This is not as much of an issue if you’re one of those batters who tends to only be out at the crease for four deliveries. You should definitely prioritise comfort here. Sometimes, cricket gloves that have a lot of protection on them can feel really rigid and actually hurt if you wear them for long periods of time. This is one of the challenges for manufacturers, making a product with enough protection that actually feels nice to wear. Size Matters, Or Does It? This is an area of some debate. Different manufacturers all have their own definitions of size when it comes to batting gloves. Some simply have adult and youth sizes, and that may well be enough. With the option to tighten the gloves using a velcro strap and elastic, gloves can be flexible and work for people with many different hand sizes. A lot of the gloves on the market are available in three different adult sizes: Small adult, adult, and large adult (or oversized) so you can match the glove size to your hands. This is only really particularly helpful if you have really large hands (or particularly small hands). Most people can get by with the “adult” size. Style and Design This is another matter of some contention. Some people like to don the logo of their favourite cricket brands. There are also some pretty loud and stylish designs out there on the market, to suit virtually any taste. Realistically, the only difference it makes is aesthetic. Whether you have some cool colours on your gloves or not is irrelevant to the way they perform, and here at the Village Cricket Co. we’re about keeping things pretty simple wherever possible, especially if it means we can pass on savings to customers. Air Flow This is partially about comfort, but it should also be about keeping your kit bag from becoming extremely smelly. Hands can get really sweaty while you are batting, and this can make it harder for the gloves to give you the grip you need, but it can also make them smell pretty bad, especially if they just get chucked into a fusty bag. If you’ve ever worn a shared pair of goalkeeping gloves at a football game you will probably know exactly what we mean by this. Luckily, some cricket batting gloves have a design that incorporates airflow, helping to avoid the buildup of sweat. Price Like a lot of cricket equipment, it is possible to buy cheap products that aren’t up to scratch. It’s also possible to break the bank and end up spending a fortune, which isn’t really necessary if you are a hobbyist rather than an aspiring pro. There is a balance to be struck between price and quality, and with the Village Cricket Co. batting gloves, there’s no need to compromise. FAQs Do I Need To Wear Inner Gloves? Inners are extremely popular. These types of gloves look a bit like the ones you might see a pool or snooker referee wear to polish the balls. They’re usually white, and much thinner than the actual batting gloves. Do you need to wear them? Inners can be a good way to protect the main gloves from sweat, and stop them from becoming smelly over time. They can also add that extra layer of protection, and if you are sharing your gloves, or letting your friends use them, this is also a good option when it comes to hygiene. Why Do I Need to Choose Right or Left-Handed Gloves? This is something that confuses beginners a lot. Surely a pair of gloves is always the same, whether you are left or right-handed? Actually, you need to choose the right design when it comes to batting gloves, and this is usually down to the design features. The thumb and the back of the hand that will face the bowler have extra protection on them. So, whether you lead with your left or right hand is a key consideration when buying your gloves. How Do I Wash Cricket Gloves? Once the smell starts to build up, you might well be asking how you can wash your cricket gloves. Sadly, it isn’t as simple as just throwing the gloves in the washing machine. Of course, if your gloves come with manufacturer guidelines on how to clean them, follow this advice to the letter. If not, the tips below should help. Firstly, try to shake your gloves and chip away any surface dirt. Then, you can use lukewarm water and very mild washing liquid to dampen the gloves and wash the palms as well as the fabric areas. Use water alone to wash away any soap you can see on the gloves, and then leave them to dry by hanging them on a washing line. Hopefully, this has armed you with plenty of information about the best cricket gloves available on the market in 2025, and some idea of the kind of gloves that will suit your budget and your requirements. Your gloves are a vital piece of equipment to protect your fingers, so be sure to opt for a quality and reliable pair in the correct size.
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Best Cricket Batting Pads for 2025
Ever had a cricket ball hit you? It hurts. It especially hurts on the shins, and if the bowler is any good, the batsman’s shins will be right in the line of fire. Ouch. Finding the best cricket pads is one of the ways to make sure you minimise pain while you’re batting, and can play with confidence and not worry about whether a hard cricket ball is going to whack you on the shins. Choosing the best batting pads for you can be tough, though, especially for beginners. Like a lot of cricket gear, they can be a bit on the expensive side. That’s why we’re so proud of our affordable yet durable batting pads. You need to make sure you make the correct choice and buy pads that are going to fit as well as give you enough protection. In this guide, we’ve reviewed some of the top pads on the market, but first, a buying guide to help you to make your decision. Best Cricket Pads: Reviewed Let’s dive into the best cricket pads that we’ve picked out for you. Village Cricket Co. Batting Pads – Best Value Cricket Pads We don’t think you’ll find as much protection for the same price anywhere else. These pads have been meticulously designed for quality and lightweight design, but they are also incredibly affordable. Because of the fact that we don’t endorse professionals and use up marketing budgets chasing players, we’re able to pass on savings to our customers. The pads are incredibly high quality. They offer a mesh padding for breathability, as well as added foam inner protection. The traditional 7 bar construction gives a classic look, and a design that we know works based on years of research. The pads are comfy (yes, even when you get hit) and have a 1” knee strap plus 2” calf and ankle straps to keep them secure. Our pads have been met with some glowing reviews from village cricketers all over the country, who are able to use the money they save on other equipment, or anything else they choose. Cricket is an expensive sport sometimes, but we believe there are savings that we can pass on to the hobbyist with quality yet affordable kit. Ezza Pure Batting Pads RRP £84.99 – Buy on ezzacricket.com These batting pads are Ezza’s first venture into the market. They offer a great level of protection, while looking modern and stylish. They fit well and despite the level of protection they offer they are light weight. They come with the new ‘Top Hat’ design allowing increased movement at the crease. The straps are cushioned and have been designed to be a bit shorter which is beneficial from a comfort and stability point of view. Although brand new to the market, they have had great feedback about these pads, and as mentioned before, they are proud to be able to offer this sort of quality at an affordable price. Woodstock Cricket Platinum Batting Pads – Cane Construction Cricket Pads RRP £110 – Buy on Woodstock Cricket These batting pads provide a great level of protection and a pretty luxurious design, and are made by small independent cricket band, Woodstock Cricket. They’re well fitted, and have a traditional look with some modern technology to ensure plenty of quality. The Merriskin PU material provides them with a lightweight level of protection, and the suede instep provides plenty of durability. The pads come in different sizes including Boys, Youths-Small Senior’s, Senior’s and Oversize in both right and left hand. The cane construction comes from some older traditions regarding cricket bats, and the fibre cup and high density foam padding are more modern additions. As well as the slick white design, this comes in black and navy, for a more “one day” look to the pads. This is all superficial, the design of these pads is exactly the same. Roe Stag County Batting Pads – Batting Pads With Large Wings RRP £75 – Buy from Stag Cricket Another smaller cricket brand that is making some good equipment at a fair price. These pads have a wide wing, which some players will find gets in the way, but others will find is incredibly useful for protecting the whole leg. Some wicket keepers even use these types of pads in village cricket. They have a PU face, with high density foam in the leg guard, and good shock absorption for the faster balls. Like some of the other cricket pads, the cane rods give a traditional look and feel, and the mesh instep protects your ankle and lower shin (not having ankle protection is dangerous as it is extremely painful to get hit there). The brand has a County Protection Rating that it gives its gear, and this gets a 3. In their own words, it means they are “suitable for beginners up to an intermediate level, with these county batting pads provide a high level of protection to cricketers.” You might not see Kane Williamson come out to bat wearing them, but they’re still a good pad for the beginner or mid-level player. Gunn & Moore Diamond Original Cricket Batting Pads – Best For Large Adult Sizing RRP £159 – Buy from Cricket Direct Gunn & Moore is a huge brand in the world of cricket, manufacturing bats as well as all kinds of other cricket equipment, and these batting pads are impressive, if a little on the pricey side. One of the reasons for including them on a list of the best cricket pads is that they suit the taller player, too. If you’re over 6’3” then you might find that you need something a little bit larger than average, and the Large Adult size of these pads can help in that regard. On top of that, they’re just very well constructed. At just over 2kg, they’re pretty lightweight, but the PU+ face and cane and cotton design give you a lot of protection. On top of that, there are vertical bolsters in place in varying materials including foam in various densities, and plastic fibre. There are comfort straps to keep them firmly in place, and a comfort instep to offer that extra protection and flexibility. The knee roll is comfortable, and flexible for running and for playing all of your shots. In general, there’s a lot to like about the pads, but it is advisable to only spend this kind of money if you are really serious about cricket, or have the cash to spare. New Balance DC 1280 Cricket Batting Pads RRP £130 – Buy on Cricket Direct These New Balance cricket pads are another option that is on the expensive end of the market, but they do offer some serious protection. The 7 bar design is similar to that of the Village Cricket Co. pads, and they also have a high grade PU fronting. With loads of high density foam padding, and soft foam on the inside, they’re comfy to wear and do a good job of protecting you even if you are out plum LBW to a 75mph bowler. The self-positioning moulded knee cup is a great addition, providing strength and protection at the knee but still allowing you to move freely. Three easy-release straps make it easy to put these on and take them off as required. Looking After Cricket Pads A quick note on looking after your pads, as all too often we see people not do a proper job of this, and their pads don’t last as long as they should. It’s easy to just chuck your pads in the bag and forget about them after you’ve played (especially if you got out cheaply). We recommend airing the pads at the first opportunity rather than letting that moisture fester in a sweaty bag. Cricket pads can be left on an airer after use, and they can even be thoroughly cleaned as required. Some pads have removable inners that can be washed, but if this isn’t the case, you can still use fabric treatments and fresheners to keep them from smelling too unpleasant, and preventing the growth and build-up of mould and dirt. A solution of water, mild soap, and baking powder can be used to remove bacteria from your pads, and keep them looking nice and white. In between seasons, it is a good idea to give them a proper deep clean, and regularly during the season too, if you don’t want them to smell embarrassingly nasty. It can get pretty sweaty, even through your whites. How to Choose Cricket Pads The design of pads has changed a lot over the years. Originally, they were made out of leather to try and combat the hard ball, and the protection offered was minimal. Manufacturing has come a long way, and modern pads are much better, but only if you understand what you are buying. Material Leather pads are a thing of the past. You’re more likely to see polyurethane (PU), high density foam, and PVC, as well as other materials like cane. Lots of brands have their own ways of making pads. Modern technology means that they weigh less than pads used to while still giving you plenty of protection. They’re also more durable and can withstand conditions. Some of the more expensive models also use inserts such as high density carbon and even kevlar materials, but this will add to the cost. Padding Trust us when we say you’re going to want a fair bit of padding. If you get hit by a cricket ball bowled at 70 miles per hour and you don’t have the right protection, it is going to hurt. Foam is used for padding in the majority of instances, and cricket batting pads strategically place this foam to ensure that it gives your shin and lower leg protection. The padding is what protects your legs, but can get in the way if there is too much of it. Opt for a model with high density padding that is protective, yet compact. In the video below, you get a rough idea of how much padding goes into cricket pads when they are being manufactured. Design Pad design has generally stayed the same over the years, even with the evolving technology. The design is made up of the following sections: Top hat – The part that sits above the knee, offering protection from the ball hitting the very bottom of your thigh or your knee itself. The highest part of the pad. Face – A bit like the face of the bat, the face of the pad is the large surface area in the middle, and it often has rods running down it that provide more protection and a place to wrap the padding and protection. Knee roll – The knee roll isn’t actually needed in modern design, but it tends to be retained and even helps the umpire make decisions. This is a more flexible area to bend along with your knee rather than being too rigid and annoying. Wings – The wings sit either side of the face, and can provide varying levels of protection for the outside of the pad. Wicket keeping pads tend to be wider, with more pronounced wings. Straps – Pretty self-explanatory. Velcro straps go around the back of the legs to keep the pads perfectly in place. Instep – This helps to give the pad more strength but also protect the lower part of the shin, down to the ankles. Inner – This provides even more protection, usually in the form of high density foam padding. Size Size is a difficult thing to judge due to the fact that many brands have some slightly different definitions and sizing, but the rough guide below will allow you to get an idea Small – 30-32cm Boys – 32-36cm Youths – 36-38cm Small Mens – 39-41cm Mens – 41-44cm Large Mens – 44-48cm On its own, that’s all pretty meaningless, isn’t it? The sizing may be used at a very high level by pros, but whether it is a youth size or an adult size is enough info for most of us. Measure from your instep all the way up to the middle of the knee. This will give you a rough idea of how long you need your pads to be. If you can borrow some pads to try them out, even better, but it isn’t essential to make sure you get the right fit. In truth, adult pads will be suitable for the vast majority of adults. This is the kind of kit that has been passed on and shared among cricket buddies for decades, and the pads fit pretty much everyone who should put them on. Brand Some people in the world of cricket are very brand loyal. Pretty much every brand offers some form of cricket pads, with GM, Gray Nicolls, Kookaburra, and others offering some good options. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference, but try not to get drawn in too much by the design. A fancy logo doesn’t necessarily mean a great pair of pads. Price How much should you spend on pads? Well, for most people, it is a case of finding something that is affordable, and reasonable, that still does a great job. A lot of pads are over the £100 mark. This may be worth it if you are really serious about playing cricket at a high level, but it could well be overkill, and you may get just as much out of our pads, which come in at under £50. For a lot of village cricketers, the money would be better spent in other ways, or even in the bar after the match. Everyone needs pads to play. This is the kind of equipment that beginners may tend to share with their friends, and let’s face it, buying new pads is not the most exciting aspect of playing cricket. That’s why many people choose to buy the most affordable pads they can that still do a great job. Scrimp and buy poor quality pads and you’ll end up with pain or even injury on the shins (and potentially broken pads), but you can buy some great, protective pads that don’t cost the earth here on the Village Cricket Co.
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Best Cricket Shoes for 2025
When you’re buying cricket shoes it is vital that you make the right choice. Nobody wants to wake up the day after a match with blisters and sores because of their poor choice of footwear. Cricket equipment is confusing to buy, but you might assume that cricket shoes are at least a bit more straightforward. This is not necessarily the case, as you need to do some research and make sure you get the right shoes for the conditions and type of player you are. Luckily, we’ve made your research easy. In this guide, we walk you through choosing a cricket shoe before we go through some of the very best cricket shoes available in 2022. How to Choose Cricket Shoes What are the main considerations when it comes to choosing the best cricket shoes for you? Spikes This is the top thing to discuss, especially for people who are new to the sport. Unless you are going to play cricket exclusively indoors, you need to wear spikes. Spikes are a little bit like studs on football boots. They sink into the pitch to allow you better grip as you are running around, and if you watch the pros, you’ll see a lot of people wearing spikes. In the summer conditions you might get away with just standard trainers, but generally if you are going to play a lot of cricket, invest in a pair with spikes. A lot of cricket shoes have removable spikes, which can be a great solution, it means you can take the spikes out and replace them as they get worn. Sizing A lot of sport shoes should be bought a size up due to the fact that you’ll be wearing big thick socks with them. This probably isn’t the case with your cricket shoes. You can buy the normal size that you would wear when buying trainers or running shoes. Cushioning Cricket shoes have to help you through a lot. All those hours out in the field, and hopefully more than five minutes when you’re in bat. Arguably the most important aspect is cushioning. This helps you to keep your feet from getting too beaten up while you’re out there, and that you can still walk the following day. It’s not necessarily a case of having to get the latest and most expensive shoes, just so long as you have thought about the padding and cushioning they provide your feet. There’s no point in getting yourself hurt. Longevity Nobody wants to buy new shoes every couple of months. A good pair of cricket shoes should be able to last you a whole season and hopefully much longer if you are a casual player. The longevity of your shoes comes down to a lot of factors including the materials, how you look after them, and how well-made they are. The Best Cricket Shoes on The Market Let’s explore some of the very best shoes out there that can give your feet some respite while you’re playing the upcoming season. New Balance CK4040 R5 Cricket Shoes RRP £125 – Buy on Discount Cricket Outlet New Balance is a great brand for cricket footwear and they make some of the most comfortable cricket shoes with spikes. These are the newest offering for 2022. The CK4040 R5 have a FuelCell midsole which is designed to help with cushioning and comfort, but the brand also claims that it helps with propulsion, building up speed as you steam in or chase down the ball in the field. There’s a foam tongue with a very high density, which is designed to give you a close yet comfortable fit so you can move freely and know that your shoes will stay responsive. Nylon webbing straps help them to stay securely on your feet and are easy to secure in place. These are around the price you would expect for a good pair of cricket shoes with spikes. Not quite a bargain, but very reasonable considering the features. Puma 19.1 Bowling Spike Cricket Shoes RRP £120 – Buy on Discount Cricket Outlet These are an exceptional option for bowlers but they are also available in a standard cricket shoe design that can be used for batting and fielding. If you’re looking for one of the best shoes to keep you storming to the crease at high speeds time and time again then it is hard to look beyond these bowling shoes. They have a rubber plate on the bottom with removable (and replaceable) spikes as well as a TPU shank which gives stability. If you care about the looks, these shoes are available in three different excellent designs that mean you’ll look the business. Let’s hope your skills match up! The light upper is good for changes of direction and speed, and the midsole has a lot of cushioning too. With a lightweight mesh design and TPU skin, it is hard to argue with these cricket shoes as one of the very best options for bowling. Gunn and Moore Original Spike Cricket Shoes RRP £64.99 – Buy on Discount Cricket Outlet Loads of cricketers place their total trust in the GM brand and it is easy to see why they’ve been a mainstay of cricket for a long time now. The Gunn and Moore Original Spike Cricket Shoes are revamped for 2022 and they make a value option for the village cricketer. Not everyone wants to drop hundreds on a decent set of shoes and spikes. First and foremost, these are functional and reliable. The lightweight upper has plenty of lining and a moulded TPR heel helps you to keep your shoe in place and protect the heel even through the punishment of bowling. The sole is compression moulded and has the spikes built in, along with some extra moulded “pimple” studs. These are made to help with even more grip and to keep you stable, even if there’s some dew or moisture on the outfield. In terms of comfort, the tri-layer cushioning makes these shoes another top option with a good balance between a lightweight shoe, but plenty of arch support and cushioning. New Balance CK4020 C4 Junior Rubber Cricket Shoes RRP £49.99 – Buy from Discount Cricket Outlet If you’re looking for a junior option, this affordable set of cricket shoes can be a good first step (pun intended). They feature moulded rubber studs rather than metal spikes, and can even be used for indoor practice sessions. The leather upper helps to keep the integrity and shape of the shoe. There’s a foam insole that means you get a decent level of support and there is also a clever moulded heel to reinforce your feet while you play. The clever pattern gives ventilation so these shoes shouldn’t get too stuffy while they’re being used, which can be a blessing for parents too. Cricket Shoe Maintenance If you’re investing in a new set of cricket shoes, you need to know how to look after them, too. Here are our top tips for maintenance: Check the shoes after every game or practice session. Don’t place the shoes in the sun when you’re not using them, this can damage some of the materials used to make the shoe, not to mention ruining the colours. Dry the shoes out and aerate them if they have become wet during play. Replace the spikes regularly if you can, especially if you see signs of wear and tear. Don’t leave them in your cricket bag, especially if they are damp. This can cause them to get very clammy. Never wash your shoes at high temperatures as this will warp and ruin the materials. There are a lot of cricket shoes on the market and new models are being released all the time. Fortunately, as technology improves and shoe manufacturers evolve, there tends to be even more choice of cricket shoes for the consumer. You can find something that looks great and gives you the support you need.
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Best Wicket Keeping Gloves for 2025
Every cricket club needs a great keeper, and every great keeper needs great gloves! In this guide, we’re providing a rundown of the very best wicket keeping gloves for 2025, so you can make an informed decision on which gloves you’re going to use. Be warned, if you’ve got a brand new pair of gloves that are top-of-the-range, you’re not going to be able to blame them for those dropped catches. It’s amazing what a difference top gloves can make. The palm having friction on them can even help you to take and hold on to catches. It’s not against the rules, either. Perhaps more important is the fact that good gloves give you protection. Like other pads and cricket gear, they can prove to be the difference between a great catch and a drop with a side of broken finger. How to Choose Wicket Keeping Gloves With the importance of gloves in mind, let’s have a quick look at some of the criteria you should consider before taking the plunge and buying some gloves. Size. While adult sizes don’t tend to vary, you do need a different size for youth cricketers. Kids playing cricket need their own equipment to make sure it has a better fit, and this includes wicket keeping gloves. Price. It’s easy to spend thousands of pounds on cricket gear, but not always necessary. If you’re a village cricketer rather than the next Jos Buttler, you probably want to save a few pounds if you can. Padding. The padding and rigid design of the gloves make a big difference, especially if you are trying to avoid nasty bruises and pain in your hands. Gloves need to give you protection. Palm materials. A lot of great gloves can assist with your job. This is because they have a friction on the surface which means when the ball hits it doesn’t tend to instantly bounce off. Instead, it might give you that extra split second to make the catch. A Word on Inner Gloves You are definitely best off using inner gloves. These help to give more protection to your hands, but they also do a good job of extending the lifespan of the gloves. Also, if you are sharing gloves (for instance playing village cricket) then it is definitely more hygienic. They towel away the sweat and moisture that can build up on those hot days. Sharing is also easy with bats, like the Village Cricket Bat, which can be a club bat, used by any new players or those who forgot their bat. Doing this with gloves means you should definitely wear inner gloves, too. You can get specific inners for wicket keeping, but batting inner gloves can also do the job. Best Wicket Keeping Gloves Let’s explore some of the best brands and models of keeping gloves for you to consider (there’s something for every price range). Gray Nicolls Legend – Professional Gloves RRP: £150 Buy from Talent Cricket These gloves from one of the biggest names in cricket equipment are not just good for the village cricketer, they are good enough for the professionals. Be warned that they are not cheap, but the features explain why. These are a real leather glove with an XRD foam palm giving plenty of protection to your hands. This protection is going to be needed for all those catches you’ll take! The big surface area has a T-shaped webbing and an octopus grip. It can help you to hold on when the cherry hits your palm. While some gloves are only available in one size, this comes in both Adult and Large adult. If you’re looking to splash out on a top glove brand then these can be a good shout, but they may not be required for the average cricketer. Adidas XT 1.0 RRP: £100 Buy from Talent Cricket The XT 1.0 gloves are pretty new, having only been introduced in 2020. They’re a little bit more affordable than some of the gloves at the upper end of the market, but they still have some awesome features. The gloves have leather padded cuffs and comfortable octo grip, helping to keep you in control of those catches. The finger sections are reinforced to prevent the full impact of the balls causing you serious pain or injuries, but the soft foam also keeps them comfy enough. One of the best features, that a lot of gloves don’t have, is perforated fingers. This means a bit more airflow and things can get less clammy in there. On a hot day, this can make a big difference. Gunn & Moore Prima Wicket Keeping Gloves – Budget Option RRP: £36.50 Buy from Cricket-Hockey If you’ve been looking at the prices above in horror, don’t worry. There’s a budget pick here that still does a perfectly good job for village cricket matches. On top of the fact that these are affordable, you’re still buying from a top brand in GM, with a great reputation. Instead of using more complicated or expensive materials, this is made out of simpler stuff. There’s a cotton lining, a rubber palm (with a cotton filling) and PVC support for the back of the hand. Other than that, the design is largely the same as other gloves of this kind. You can tell that these aren’t elite gloves when you use them, but actually they still do a pretty good job and offer plenty of protection which is the most important thing. As well as coming in adult sizes, you can buy them in Youth and Junior sizes, so there is a Prima keeping glove for every age group. There are many more wicket keeping gloves on the market, with brands like Kookaburra and Aero offering competition to those on this list. However, we believe the three options above to be ideal picks at three different price points, so you don’t have to break the bank to get something that will protect and help you with your catches.
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