Interactive Explainer

CricketRead the Gamefrom the Sideline

Understand the basics of batting, bowling, and fielding — and why a match can last all day and still end in a draw.

Sport DNA

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Boundary

~130–180 yd diameter

Oval — size varies by ground; youth fields run smaller

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Youth Boundary

~80–120 yd diameter

Often a soccer or multi-use field marked with cones

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Ball

Hard leather · Soft / tape-ball

Hard ball for older/competitive · soft or tape-ball for most youth

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Bat

Up to 38 in long

Youth bats sized by height — start light

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Players per Side

11

2 batters in at a time · rest field or wait to bat

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Match Length (T20)

~2–3 hours

20 overs per side · youth often 8–16 overs

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Countries Playing

100+ ICC members

Huge in South Asia, UK, Australia, Caribbean

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Founded

England · 16th century

Modern Laws shaped by MCC (from 1788)

Slip Attack

An attacking field set for pace or seam bowling — several catchers surround the bat behind the wicket, hoping to take an edge. The slip cordon is how the fielding team takes wickets when the ball is moving.

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Before the Start

Essential Gear

See all 10 items
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Cricket Bat

The bat is the most important and personal piece of equipment. English willow bats are premium; Kashmir willow is more affordable and fine for youth players. Match the size to your child's height — a bat that's too long makes technique harder to develop. Oil a new bat before first use.

Est. $40 – $200

Batting Pads

Strapped leg guards that protect the shin, knee, and thigh from fast-moving deliveries. Junior sizes for under-13; short adult for taller youth. Should cover from ankle to 2 inches above the knee without restricting movement. Worn on both legs.

Est. $30 – $100

Batting Gloves

Padded gloves protect the fingers and back of the hand from deliveries that hit the edge of the bat. Must allow a firm grip on the bat handle. Look for reinforced 'sausage fingers' on the top hand — that's where most hits land.

Est. $25 – $80

Cricket Helmet

Required for batting and wicket-keeping in all youth cricket. Look for BS7928 certification. The grill must be close enough that a ball cannot pass through it (roughly a 55mm gap). Replace after any significant impact to the grill or shell, even if it looks undamaged.

Est. $50 – $150

Full gear guide

7 must-haves · 10 items total · Must-haves est. $240 – $790

View Gear Guide

Parent's Cheat Sheet

What just happened?

Official Wording

Runs are scored when the batting team's two batters run between the wickets, or when the ball reaches or crosses the boundary (4 runs along the ground, 6 runs in the air).

Parent Translation

Your kid (the batter) hits the ball and runs back and forth between two sets of stumps — each crossing scores one run. If the ball reaches the rope at the edge of the field, that's 4 automatic runs. If it clears the rope in the air without bouncing, that's 6 (the equivalent of a home run). A six is the highlight play in cricket.

Parent guide

What does my child need to start playing cricket?

Short answer

A bat sized to their height, batting pads, batting gloves, a helmet, an abdominal guard, cricket shoes, and whites or a club uniform. Many beginner programs use soft or tape balls and lend protective gear, so ask your club before buying. The must-have items on this page add up to about $240–$790. Choose the bat by height, not age.

By Parent Sideline · Published October 25, 2026

How youth cricket is set up

Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport played by two teams of eleven. Youth formats are shorter, often with fewer overs, and many programs use soft or tape balls and smaller fields.

Match length and rules vary by league. The popular T20 format has 20 overs per side and lasts a few hours, and youth versions often use fewer overs.

Scoring and getting out, explained simply

The batter hits the ball and runs between the two sets of stumps. Each crossing is a run. A ball that reaches the boundary rope on the ground is four runs, and one that clears the rope in the air is six.

A batter is out if the ball hits the stumps (bowled), is caught in the air (caught), or hits their leg in front of the stumps and the umpire judges it would have hit them (leg before wicket, or LBW). The bowler delivers six balls in a row, called an over.

Safety basics

Hard-ball cricket uses a lot of protective gear, including helmets, pads, gloves, and an abdominal guard. Many beginner programs use softer balls to reduce injury risk.

Ask your coach about helmet and guard fit, and make sure gear is the right size. If your child is hurt, follow your league and your doctor. See our injury basics guide for general guidance.

By age and level

Under 10
Soft or tape-ball cricket on smaller fields. Bat size is based on height, and many programs provide protective gear.
Ages 10–14
Hard-ball play may begin. Helmets and guards become important, and bat sizes step up with height.
Ages 15 and up
Full-size equipment and longer formats. Confirm league rules on protective gear and bat size.

Equipment and estimated cost

Checklist: first cricket season · must-haves about $240–$790

  • Cricket BatKnock in a new bat with a mallet or old cricket ball for 3–6 hours before using in a match. This compresses the willow and prevents the bat from cracking.$40 – $200
  • Batting Pads$30 – $100
  • Batting Gloves$25 – $80
  • Cricket Helmet$50 – $150
  • Abdominal GuardThis is non-negotiable. A cricket ball travels at 50+ mph even in youth cricket — this protects against a career-ending injury.$15 – $40
  • Cricket Shoes$40 – $120
  • Cricket Whites (Uniform)Cold wash only. Hot water sets the grass stains permanently. Pre-treat before washing.$40 – $100

Also helpful

  • Thigh Pad$20 – $50
  • Cricket Ball$15 – $50
  • Cricket Kit Bag$30 – $100
  • Ranges are Parent Sideline estimates for entry-level to mid-range gear at major U.S. retailers. They are not live prices.
  • The total adds the low and high of each must-have item's range. It matches the must-have estimate on the gear guide.
  • Club or league fees, team uniforms supplied by the club, and travel costs are not included.

See the full gear guide

Some gear links on this site are affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Details.

Common mistakes

  • Buying a bat that is too heavy. Start light and match it to height.
  • Buying a full set of protective gear before the club says what the format requires.
  • Ignoring helmet fit. It should sit snugly and cover the right areas.
  • Mixing up an over with a game. An over is six balls bowled by one bowler.
  • Assuming matches last all day. Youth formats are much shorter.

Frequently asked questions

What bat size does my child need?

Bat sizes run from Size 1 for smaller children to Size 6 and Short Handle for older players. Choose by height, and ask your coach.

What is T20 cricket?

It is a short format with 20 overs per side. It is exciting to watch and usually finishes in a few hours.

What is an over?

It is six legal deliveries bowled by one bowler. Then a different bowler bowls from the other end.

What is LBW?

It stands for leg before wicket. A batter can be out if the ball hits their leg in front of the stumps and the umpire judges it would have hit them.

Sources

Rules and requirements differ by league. When a source and your league disagree, follow your league.

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