Most hand and finger injuries happen when batting, so batting gloves protect the batter from bad shots that can cause the ball to hit the batter’s hand and crush it against the handle of the bat.
It’s important for batters to wear batting gloves to avoid getting hurt. However, senior cricket players shouldn’t use ordinary batting gloves because they only offer basic protection and are better suited for younger cricket players.
Cricket batting gloves are a must-have piece of gear for each batter. They give the ball impact protection as well as a greater grip on the bat. Each component of a cricket batting glove has a unique purpose.
Batting Glove Components
The Palm
This is the most important part of the glove because it protects the hand from the ball’s impact. Most of the time, it is made of leather and has padding inside to absorb shock. Depending on the type of glove and how much protection the batter needs, the amount of padding in the palm will be different.
Finger Padding
The fingers are also cushioned to keep them from getting hurt. Most of the time, cotton or foam are used to make the padding. Depending on the type of glove, the number and size of the padding on the fingers will also be different.
The Wrist Strap
This helps keep the glove in place and keeps it from slipping off the hand. Most of the time, it is made of leather or fabric. The strap should be able to be tightened or removed so that it fits snugly.
The Cuff
This is the part of the glove that goes around the wrist and covers it. It’s also cushioned to keep the wrist from getting hurt. The cuff should be long enough to completely cover the wrist but not so long that it makes it hard to move.
The Cuts
These are the spaces in the glove that let the fingers move around. How many and how big the cuts are will depend on the glove. Some gloves cut out the whole finger, while others only cut out part of the finger. The type of cut you choose will depend on what you like and how flexible you need your hair to be.
The Liner
This is the inside part of the glove that touches the hand. Usually, it is made of something soft, like leather or cotton. The covering should be soft and not rub against anything.
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Protective Elements
Most cricket batting gloves are made with sausage-shaped pieces that are filled with raw cotton fibre. The back of a finger and the hand part of a batting glove are related to these.
Sidebars
It’s hard for the batter to judge how a ball will bounce when it’s moving in an odd way, and this can often lead to a hand injury. The sidebars give the index finger of the bottom hand more security, which in turn protects the leading hand more.
High-Density Foam
This is a step up from the basic raw cotton fibres because it absorbs more pressure and makes the gloves lighter, which makes them easier to move. This is often found in gloves that cost a little bit more.
Inserts and Finger Castings
Manufacturers have started to use stiffer materials, like hard, strong plastics, which offer more protection because they spread the force over a larger area of padding. They started doing this because, when the speed of the ball goes up, raw cotton and high-density foam can’t keep your hands from getting hurt anymore.
Most injuries from high-speed impacts happen to the first two fingers on the bottom hand. This is why the gloves have stronger plastic on those fingers.
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Comfort
Comfort is just as important as safety when it comes to a cricket batting glove. When talking about comfort, feel, flexibility, and ventilation are the three most important things.
Feel
If you’re going to bat for a long time, you’ll want to make sure your gloves are comfortable. The part of the glove that touches your palm is where most of the warmth comes from.
The palms of gloves can be made of a number of different materials, each of which has its own pros and cons.
- Cotton or PVC: Cotton is the least expensive choice, but in warmer places, it will soak up any moisture (like sweat), making it very uncomfortable to wear. This could make the batter angry, making it hard to keep a good grip. PVC is used to strengthen places that get a lot of use.
- Leather: Leather is more durable and has a better feel for the batter.
Flexibility
A big part of a cricket glove is how flexible it is. This is because the glove needs to move with the player’s hand instead of being stuck in the pre-shaped claw. This is a key part of making a batter feel at ease.
Ventilation
Some gloves have holes in them to let air in and keep the hands cool and dry. This is especially important for leather gloves, which can keep heat inside.
Maintenance of a Glove
It’s important to take care of your cricket batting gloves the right way if you want them to stay in good shape.
To keep your cricket batting gloves in good shape, you should let them dry out after each use and store them in a warm, dry place. Leaving them in a cold, wet place will impair them and make them less flexible, which will make them feel uncomfortable.
You should check the gloves often for mould and other signs of wear and tear. And you should also always be careful with them.
Aspects of Buying Batting Gloves
Cricket players want their gloves to do three things: Protection, Comfort, and Durable Power.
If someone only plays the game once in a while, they are less likely to spend as much money on it as someone who plays it often. So, the cost for each person will depend on how long they have been playing cricket and how much knowledge they have.
Here are a few more tips on how to choose the right batting gloves:
- Before you buy the gloves, you should try them on. This is the best way to make sure they fit well and feel good when you put them on.
- Try to find gloves that are made of good materials. This will make them last longer and protect you more effectively.
- Pick gloves with the features you want. Some gloves have things like air holes or a wrist strap that can be tightened or loosened.
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