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Score Big with the Right Fit: Tips on Buying Cricket Gloves
Cricket gloves play a crucial role in a cricket player’s safety. They also ensure that they play effectively and comfortably. Many new players in the sport don't know how to choose the right glove as there are many options available in the market. This blog will help you understand everything about cricket gloves. It will also allow you to choose the right glove for yourself.
What are cricket gloves? How are they different from normal gloves?
Gloves for cricket matches are primarily used for grip as well as for protection. To achieve this, extra padding is used with a combination of different materials. Normal gloves cannot be used for cricket since they do not provide the required protection. Additionally, they do not have the proper texture to help users grip their bats or balls in the case of wicketkeepers. Good batting gloves go one step further and provide comfort to the players helping them to perform better on the pitch.
How many types of cricket gloves are there?
Generally, there are three main types of gloves used in cricket matches. They are as follows:
Batting gloves
Batting gloves are worn by batsmen and they allow them to grip the handle of the bat properly. They have high-density foam padding and gel inside them that helps reduce the intensity of ball impact. They are usually made with leather or synthetic materials that allow flexibility as well as enhanced grip. Moreover, they also come with a mesh design that enhances ventilation, reducing sweat in long matches. This is a crucial thing as humid and hot conditions tend to induce more sweat impacting the performance of the batsmen. Thus having high-quality cricket gloves for batting is essential for batsmen to perform better.
Wicket keeping gloves
Wicket-keeping gloves have a larger area allowing the ball to flow in properly. The extra padding and webbing between the thumb and index fingers ensure the safety of the player. They also have enhanced grip which helps in catching the ball even at high speeds. These gloves are exclusively made for wicketkeepers and they are different in design compared to batting gloves.
Inner gloves
These gloves are worn inside the batting and wicket-keeping gloves. They are made with a material that helps absorb the sweat. Their primary purpose is to reduce the friction between hands and outer gloves. Additionally, they help avoid any blisters that may be caused by the outer gloves. These gloves are not necessary although they may be worn by players seeking extra comfort. Moreover, players who sweat profusely should also make use of these gloves.
What sizes do cricket gloves come in?
Gloves come in different sizes to accommodate different players. Generally, you can find cricket gloves in the following size categories for adults:
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Small adult
These gloves are suitable for older teens who are about to enter adulthood. Additionally, they also properly fit adults having smaller hands. These gloves range from 19 - 20 cm or 7.5 - 8 inches.
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Medium adult
Most adult players fall into this category. These gloves fit a wide variety of players and are the most common in a majority of cricket leagues. The gloves vary from 20 - 21 cm or 8 - 8.5 inches in length.
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Large adult
Adults having larger hands get uncomfortable in medium-sized gloves. For this purpose, large gloves are made to accommodate players with larger hands. These gloves come in sizes varying from 21 - 22 cm or 8.5 - 9 inches.
How to measure the size of a glove?
Cricket gloves can easily be measured at home. In order to find the right-sized glove, you should start by measuring the length of your hand. To achieve this, measure the length of your hand starting from the tip of your middle finger to the base of the hand. This will allow you to get an accurate measurement of the hand and will ensure a snug fit of the gloves.
Why should you buy cricket gloves?
There are many benefits to wearing high-quality cricket gloves. Apart from protection, the following are the key features that they provide:
1. Grip
The specialized material of the gloves paired with their patterns enhances the player’s grip. It ensures that they do not lose grip of the bat upon impact. Additionally, it also overcomes issues such as sweat. Paired with the bat grips, gloves ensure that the bat never slips even in the most humid conditions.
2. Flexibility
The flexible padding materials used in the glove allow the player’s hands to fit with ease. They also conform to the shape of the hands easily. This provides a comfortable experience to the players, allowing them to hit the ball with ease. It doesn't matter whether you are an international player or a street cricket player. Our gloves are fit to handle all sorts of pressure and endure for a long time.
3. Ventilation
Good ventilation is crucial for all players. Gloves that do not offer ventilation lead to sweating and cause the hands to get warm. This can get extremely uncomfortable, especially in long-format matches. Thus it is crucial that the cricket glove you choose provides good ventilation. Usually, a mesh pattern is used in gloves to promote ventilation. This is a great way to spot ventilated gloves. Additionally, you should always use gloves on trial to ensure predictable performance on the field.
4. Comfort
Cricket players use gloves that are made from soft and comfortable padding materials. These allow the users to play without any problems. However, high-quality gloves come with an extra feature, i.e., gel infusion. This is a great way to ensure protection for your hands. However, it also adds to comfort making the experience much better. Gloves come in various materials such as leather, etc. A lot of gloves use a mix of different materials to provide optimal performance as well as comfort. You should use different types of batting gloves so you can find the one that you feel most comfortable in.
5. Enhanced performance
Lastly, one of the most crucial things that a glove should provide is performance. All the factors combined, provide an experience that leads to enhanced performance. Factors such as comfort and grip are crucial and directly affect the outcome. Thus, you should always ensure that your gloves provide a combination of the above-mentioned factors.
How is Crikon ensuring cricket players’ safety?
Crikon is one of the leading cricket brands in Australia. We have a variety of high-quality products that help players unlock their full potential. Whether you need cricket bats, balls, or protection equipment we have you covered. Visit our online store to find the complete arsenal of cricket products.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Are gloves mandatory in cricket matches?
Yes, professional matches require the players to wear protective gloves. If you wish to be in any professional match, you must have a good pair of gloves. However, if you wish to play in local matches, their rules may vary. Additionally, street cricket does not require players to wear gloves as the rules are flexible. Moreover, since hard balls are not used in such matches, gloves are not necessary. However, it is advised to wear gloves to get a better grip on the bat handle.
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Can the same gloves be used for batting as well as wicketkeeping?
No, both gloves serve different purposes. Batting gloves come in different shapes and designs and are more suited to batsmen. Similarly, wicket-keeping gloves have a much different construction and are suited to catching balls at high speed. Thus different gloves are required for both.
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Are inner gloves mandatory in cricket matches?
Inner gloves are not mandatory, they are more of a personal choice. They are made to enhance comfort for players and avoid blisters. If you sweat profusely, wearing inner gloves can help you greatly overcome sweating. Additionally, they also aid in enhancing the grip and reduce friction between the hand and the outer glove.