Cricket Gloves
What cricket gloves are, the difference between batting and wicketkeeping gloves, how they protect players, and the laws that govern their use.
Cricket Gloves Overview
Cricket gloves are worn by two players: the batter and the wicketkeeper. Batting gloves protect the batter's hands from the impact of the hard ball; wicketkeeping gloves are designed to assist the keeper in taking catches and stumpings.
Batting Gloves
- Worn on both hands
- Padded knuckle protection — absorbs impact from the ball hitting the glove
- Inner glove/liner worn inside for comfort and grip
- Batting gloves are considered part of the bat for dismissal purposes — edges off the glove are caught out
Wicketkeeping Gloves
- Worn on both hands, with webbing between thumb and index finger
- Designed to cushion delivery from pace bowlers and grip spin
- The webbing creates a 'basket' catch for low deliveries and snicks
- Law 27 states only the wicketkeeper may wear gloves while fielding
Laws and Gloves
Law 27 of the MCC Laws explicitly restricts glove-wearing to the wicketkeeper. If any other fielder wears gloves, it is illegal. Batting gloves are permitted for the batter as they are part of the batting equipment — not fielding equipment.
Glove Edge Decision
The batter plays a defensive shot. The ball takes the top of the glove on the hand holding the bat and balloons to slip. The umpire gives Out caught. The batter considers reviewing — UltraEdge shows contact with the glove hand. Out stands.
Frequently asked questions
Is a batter out if the ball hits their batting glove?
Yes, if the ball hits the glove on the hand holding the bat, it is treated as a ball-bat contact. Any catch off the batting glove (while holding the bat) is a legal dismissal.
Can a fielder wear gloves in cricket?
No. Only the wicketkeeper is permitted to wear fielding gloves. Any other fielder wearing gloves during the match is illegal under Law 27 — it could constitute unfair fielding.