If you’re new to cricket or have been watching for a while and are considering playing, you might be curious about the right shoes for cricketers!
Cricketers wear specialized cricket shoes that may resemble regular trainers to the untrained eye. However, these shoes are specifically designed for cricket, making them sturdier and more supportive. Many cricket shoes feature spikes on the outsole to enhance grip on various surfaces, although not all models include these.
To determine the specific features you need in cricket boots, consider a few key questions:
- What type of cricket are you playing, and what surface is it on?
- What kind of player are you (batsman, bowler, etc.)?
In this post, we’ll explore common answers to these questions and recommend cricket shoes based on your needs. We’ll also discuss the importance of specialized cricket footwear and highlight some key brands to consider. Let’s dive in!
Footwear Considerations Based on Cricket Type and Surface
Outdoor Cricket – Natural Grass Pitch
When playing outdoors on a natural cricket pitch, players typically wear specialized cricket shoes. As mentioned earlier, these shoes resemble regular trainers but feature spikes on the outsole. The spikes help players maintain their footing while bowling or playing on pitches that offer little grip. Below is an image of a pair of specialist cricket shoes for reference!
Outdoor Cricket – Artificial Pitch or Other Surfaces
Cricket is often played outdoors on various surfaces besides natural grass, especially at junior levels. These surfaces can include different types of turf and concrete. When playing on such surfaces, players typically wear specialist cricket shoes with rubber dimple designs on the outsoles instead of spikes.
Some types of turf used for artificial pitches allow spiked cricket shoes, while others do not, as spikes can damage the turf. Always check whether the specific turf can handle spiked shoes before wearing them. And, of course, spiked shoes should never be worn on concrete—just try walking in them on concrete to understand why!
You can play cricket in regular everyday trainers on these surfaces, but I wouldn’t recommend it for the long term. Everyday trainers may not offer the support and grip provided by specialized cricket shoes and using them for an extended period could increase the risk of injury.
Indoor Cricket – Artificial/Wooden Surfaces
Much of the cricket played indoors is especially common during winter months when outdoor practice isn’t feasible. For these surfaces, I recommend specialized cricket shoes with a rubber dimple design on the outsole, suitable for all types of indoor play. Avoid using spiked cricket boots on wooden surfaces.
Be aware that some indoor venues may require non-marking footwear to avoid scuff marks or colored lines on the floor, which venue owners typically dislike. Always check with the seller to ensure that the shoes are appropriate if your venue has this requirement.
Footwear Considerations Based on Your Style of Play
Bowlers
Bowlers should always wear specialized cricket shoes with spikes on the outsole. These spikes are crucial, especially for fast bowlers, as they help maintain grip when landing the front foot on the popping crease. Slipping during this crucial moment can lead to serious injuries, and the spikes help prevent that.
Additionally, some bowlers have high-impact bowling actions that place extra stress on their feet and ankles, leading to the design of specialized bowling boots. Here are some key features:
- Higher Cut: Specialist bowling boots are typically cut higher than regular cricket shoes, offering more ankle support. The height can be adjusted based on personal preference, but a higher cut generally provides better support to the ankle joint, which is heavily stressed during the delivery stride.
- Larger Outsole Surface Area: Bowling boots usually feature an outsole with a larger surface area than standard cricket shoes. This design helps disperse the forces generated from high-impact actions, reducing stress on the feet.
- Quality Materials: Bowling boots are often made from higher-quality materials that provide better impact absorption. If your budget allows, investing in a more expensive pair can enhance performance and comfort.
The ideal bowling boots should combine a high cut for ankle support with high-quality materials for impact absorption, all while remaining lightweight.
Batsmen
Batsmen have more choices regarding the shoes they wear while batting. Typically, they opt for specialist cricket shoes with a standard cut, which means the shoe does not extend over the ankle.
When it comes to the spike arrangement on the outsole, batsmen have various options. While bowlers should always have a full set of spikes for optimal grip, batsmen can select different configurations based on their preferences. Here are a few options:
- Full Set of Spikes: This standard arrangement provides excellent grip on slightly moist pitches, aiding in running between wickets. However, it’s not ideal for very hard surfaces.
- Partial Set of Spikes: Some cricket shoes feature spikes only on the front of the shoe, with none at the heel. This option offers a balance between full spikes and none at all.
- No Spikes: Some batsmen prefer cricket shoes with a rubber dimple design on the outsole instead of spikes, particularly on very hard pitches. If you’re willing to invest a little more, certain shoes allow you to remove the spikes completely, leaving a rubber dimple design. This versatility enables you to play comfortably in various conditions as a batsman.