Cricket Box (Abdominal Guard)
What a cricket box is, why it is worn, and why groin protection is considered essential safety equipment for all batters and wicketkeepers.
What Is a Cricket Box?
A cricket box, or abdominal guard, is a hard protective cup worn inside cricket trousers to protect the groin area from impact by the hard cricket ball. It is considered one of the most essential safety items in cricket equipment.
Who Wears a Box?
All batters are strongly advised to wear a box. Wicketkeepers, who face deliveries from close range, typically always wear one. Close-in fielders in positions like silly mid-on or forward short leg sometimes wear a box due to proximity to the batter.
Types of Box
- Hard-shell box: traditional hard plastic cup inserted into a jockstrap or compression shorts
- Full-cup boxer shorts: built-in protection for all-day comfort
- Close-fit jockstrap with external box holder: most common in professional cricket
Frequently asked questions
Is wearing a box mandatory in cricket?
The Laws of Cricket do not formally mandate a box, but it is universally considered essential protective equipment. No professional team or cricket governing body allows a batter to take the crease without one.