If you’re serious about cricket, then you would have realised the need for adequate protection while out there in the middle with eleven hostile opponents waiting to ensnare you with every single ball you face. They will attempt to rile you with short pitched deliveries aimed at your face, in swingers to your ribcage to break a couple of ribs and generally a line of bowling that forces you to put your feet in play to adjust to the length and line. There have been innumerable injuries caused to shins, kneecaps and feet due to lightning fast bowling by extremely skilled pace bowlers who usually come into action early on, when the batsmen are not settled.
Because of this potential danger of injury, pads are mandatory for playing cricket with a standard leather ball in any competition, be it a local, national or an international match. A lot of batsmen train their balance with go kart racing boots from Sportsblue and it’s useful. But let’s not overlook the importance of batting pads. When you select a batting pad, remember one fundamental rule; pads are designed to last for a long time hence you need to account for movement range, weight of the pads, their comfort as well as durability in the long run.
Features: Unlike running tights Australia, which have no features except for porosity, pads have quite a number of distinct features that are essential in ensuring protection. Firstly, there’s the face of the pad. It takes up the most space on the pad and usually comprises of vertical sections which are separated. The sections allow the pad to wrap itself around the lower leg, making running easier between the wickets, as well as eliminating interference with the bat or gloves. Then we have the knee roll which gives protection to the vulnerable joints of the knee. They additionally allow you to flex your legs and change stance according to the kind of delivery. Both the face and the knee roll have padding to absorb the bullets fired from the other end. The top hat is the area just above the knee pad, and protects the lower thigh. Because there’s more muscle than bone above the knee, the top hat protection is limited in comparison o the other parts.
For batsmen who want specialized pads, lighter and expensive pads are recommended, while for beginners an ambidextrous pair of pads which are a bit heavier will do. In the past, the straps to secure the pads were of aluminium and not that comfortable, and have now been replaced with adjustable Velcro to give a snug and secure fit. The instep serves to protect the shins and the ankles, and usually is reinforced with bolsters to protect the pads from wear and tear from the shoes and the bat.