Arm Guard in Cricket
What an arm guard is in cricket, which arm it protects, and why top-order batters increasingly use elbow and forearm protection against fast bowling.
What Is an Arm Guard?
An arm guard (also called an elbow guard or forearm protector) is worn on the batter's leading arm — the arm closest to the bowler — to protect the forearm and elbow from ball impact. It wraps around the lower arm and is secured with straps or integrated into a compression sleeve.
Why Arm Guards Are Worn
Short-pitched deliveries — bouncers — that rise toward the chest or arm are a constant threat for batters. A ball at 145 km/h hitting the unprotected elbow or forearm can cause fractures. Several international cricketers have suffered arm injuries from bouncers and now wear arm guards as a precaution.
Types of Arm Guard
- Standard elbow pad: hard shell over the elbow joint, soft foam underlayer
- Forearm guard: extends from elbow to wrist for more coverage
- Compression sleeve guard: full-arm coverage with a rigid elbow shield
- Lightweight guard: lower protection level, maximum mobility for T20 play
Frequently asked questions
Which arm does a cricket arm guard go on?
The arm guard goes on the leading arm — the arm closest to the bowler. For a right-handed batter, this is the left arm. For a left-handed batter, this is the right arm.
Do all batters wear arm guards?
No. Arm guard use is optional and a personal choice. Top-order batters who face pace bowling regularly — especially in Test cricket — are more likely to use one. T20 batters sometimes sacrifice protection for mobility.