The Equipment Used in Cricket

Cricket equipment is more than just bat and ball. The batsman's protection and the stumps he guards, the umpires' counters and tape measures and the scorers' book are all part of the rich tradition of the summer game.

  1. The Ball

    • The ball is the same size as a baseball but, at 5.5 to 5.75 ounces, is half an ounce heavier. It consists of two halves of red-dyed leather joined with a raised seam, which bowlers use to swing and spin the ball.

    The Bat

    • Bats weigh 2 to 3 pounds. The face, or blade, is flat, and the back is V-shaped. The bat is 4 3/4 inches wide and 22 1/2 inches high, with an 11-inch handle.

    Protection

    • Batsmen always wear a cup (groin protector) and pads to cover their legs to mid-thigh. Well-padded batting gloves and helmet complete protection for most. If facing express bowling, batsmen wear upper-thigh and hip pads, chest protectors and forearm guards.

    Stumps

    • Wooden stumps are 28 1/2 inches high, with a metal-covered point to get them into the ground. The wicket, when erected, is 9 inches wide and has two bails sitting in grooves on top of the stumps. When the bails come off, the wicket is "broken."

    Wicketkeeper's Gloves

    • Wicketkeeping gloves

      The wicketkeeper is the only fielder with gloves. He usually wear a light inner pair as well. The gloves have a little webbing between the fingers.

    Umpires

    • Umpires carry a counter to ensure that each bowler's spell is six deliveries.They also have tape measures, boot-stud fasteners and bandages in their coat pockets.