Cricket Leg Guards: Types, Fit, and Law Requirements
A complete guide to cricket batting leg guards (pads) — covering how they are constructed, how to fit them correctly, the law governing their use, and differences between batting and wicketkeeping pads.
Batting leg guards — commonly called batting pads — are among the most important protective items in cricket. They protect the lower leg, knee, and thigh from impact with the ball, and are worn by every batter and both wicketkeepers in a match. The Laws of Cricket (Law 27) allow batters to wear leg guards, and modern pads are engineered to absorb the energy of a fast delivery while keeping the batter mobile.
Construction and Materials
Modern batting pads are constructed from a high-density foam core — typically polyethylene or multi-density foam layers — covered by a hard outer shell and a soft face cloth. The shell absorbs initial impact, while the foam disperses energy away from the shin, knee, and thigh. The pad is divided into three sections: the shin guard, the knee roll, and the thigh flap. Each section is independently contoured to follow the natural shape of the leg. Internal bolsters or ribs run vertically through the pad to further absorb ball impact. External facing is usually white PVC or synthetic leather.
Fitting Leg Guards Correctly
A correctly fitted batting pad should cover the front of the leg from the top of the boot to just above mid-thigh. The knee roll — the padded bulge at the knee joint — must sit directly over the kneecap when the batter stands in their guard position. Pads that sit too high expose the boot and ankle; pads that sit too low leave the kneecap unprotected. Three straps hold the pad in place: one at the top of the shin, one just below the knee, and one around the top of the pad near the thigh. All three should be fastened firmly but not so tight that they restrict blood flow or knee flexion during the batting stroke.
Batting vs Wicketkeeping Pads
Wicketkeeping pads differ significantly from batting pads. They are shorter — usually knee-length only — lighter, and contoured on both sides to allow the wicketkeeper to crouch without restriction. Batting pads extend above the knee to protect against balls rising sharply, while wicketkeeping pads prioritise mobility. Some wicketkeeping pads also have a chamois inner lining for moisture management during long innings behind the stumps. A wicketkeeper who comes in to bat can bat with their keeping pads, but many switch to full batting pads for improved protection.
Frequently asked questions
Are there different pad sizes for junior and senior cricketers?
Yes. Batting pads are typically sold in small, medium and large sizes for adults, with additional junior sizes (under-13 and under-17 or equivalent) for younger players. Junior pads are proportionally shorter and narrower. When fitting junior pads, the same principles apply: the knee roll should sit over the kneecap, and the pad should cover the front of the leg from boot to thigh without restricting knee flex.
Can a batter wear only one batting pad?
The Laws of Cricket permit batters to wear protective equipment including leg guards. There is no law requiring both legs to be padded, but in practice all batters wear both pads since either leg can be struck by the ball. The front leg — the one facing the bowler — takes most impacts, but pull shots, sweeps, and deliveries targeting leg stump routinely strike the back leg. Some batters have worn a lightweight protector on the back leg and a full pad on the front for improved mobility, particularly in T20 cricket.