Introduction
To play cricket you need a bat, a ball and, for hard ball cricket, protective equipment. The club provides everything that players need (other than abdominal protectors), but if you wish to buy your own, it is important to know what to buy. Using the correct size of equipment is important for both player safety and development.

Cricket balls
Up to School Year 4, cricket is played with a soft ball (tennis ball, windball or Incrediball). Hard ball cricket is introduced in School Year 5, using a junior cricket ball weighing 4¾ ounces. From School Year 9, players use a senior cricket ball weighing 5½ ounces.

Cricket bats
Selecting the correct size bat is fundamental to developing the correct technique in young cricketers. It is imperative that the bat is not too heavy or too long, as this will impede correct stroke play and accurate technical performance. Note that whilst Kashmir willow bats are usually cheaper than English willow bats, they are not always suitable for use with a hard ball.

Bat Size	Approx Age	Height
0	Up to 4	Up to 4'
1	4 - 5	4' - 4'3
2	6 - 7	4'3 - 4'6
3	8 - 9	4'6 - 4'9
4	9 - 11	4'9 - 5'
5	10 - 12	5' - 5'3
6	11 - 13	5'3 - 5'6
Harrow	12 - 14	5'6 - 5'9
Full Short Handle	15+	5'9 - 6'2
Full Long Handle	15+	Over 6'2

Batting and wicket keeping pads
Measure from the centre of the knee cap to the instep where the tongue of your shoe would fit. The pads need to protect you but you also need to be able to run when wearing them.

Size	Length
Small Boys	30 - 32cm
Boys	32 - 35cm
Youths	36 - 38cm
Mens	39 - 43cm
Large Mens	44 - 48cm

Batting and wicket keeping gloves
Measure from the wrist to the tip of your longest finger.

Size	Length
Small Boys	165mm
Boys	175mm
Youths	190mm
Mens	210mm
Large Mens	225mm

Cricket helmets
When playing hard ball cricket, helmets must always be worn by juniors (up to the age of 18) when batting and when wicketkeeping standing up to the stumps.

Helmets are widely available and are covered by a British Standard (BS7928:1998) and a new standard introduced in 2014 (BS7928:2013). From 30 June 2014, all new head protectors are tested against the new standard (BS7928:2013). However, head protectors which have already been tested against the old standard (BS7928:1998) can and will continue to be available for sale and will not be withdrawn from the market. The key features of the new standard are:

It now includes a facial contact projectile test that assesses for penetration of the ball through the faceguard, and contact of the faceguard onto the face, using realistic ball impact speeds and conditions.
Head protectors have been tested separately against men’s (5½ ounces) and junior (4¾ ounces) standard size cricket balls.

Head protectors that have been tested against the new standard will be clearly labelled with “BS7928:2013” and contain clear labelling setting out whether it has been tested against cricket balls that are 5½ ounces, 4¾ ounces or both. There is currently no specific women’s head protector and hence no specific test for a women’s (5 ounces) standard size cricket ball.

To determine the size of helmet you need, measure the circumference from the middle of the forehead just above the eyebrows, around the sides just above the ears, to the ‘bump' on the back of the head. The helmet should feel secure but comfortable with no unnecessary movement in any direction and the peak level with the eyebrows. The helmet should always be fastened with the chin strap for added security.

Size	Head Circumference
Small Boys	51 - 52cm
Boys	53 - 54cm
Youths	54 - 56cm
Small Mens	56 - 58cm
Mens	58 - 60cm
Large Mens	60 - 62cm

Heaton Mersey CC is committed to providing the best possible environment for our young cricketers to enjoy playing cricket safely and has acquired 8 new junior helmets that meet the new specification. Our sincere thanks go to local solicitors Potter Rees Dolan for kindly donating the helmets and for their continued support of the club.