Thigh Guard in Cricket
What a thigh guard is in cricket, how it protects the upper leg, and why batters wear thigh guards on one or both legs depending on their batting style.
What Is a Thigh Guard?
A thigh guard is a pad worn on the upper leg — above the cricket pads — to protect the thigh from ball impact. Most batters wear an outer thigh guard (on the leg facing the bowler); some also wear an inner thigh guard on the other leg for additional protection.
Why Thigh Guards Are Worn
Deliveries aimed at the thigh or hip — back-of-a-length balls and short balls — can travel through gaps between the pads and the bat. A ball hitting the unprotected upper thigh can cause bruising, muscle damage, or even fractures at high pace. The thigh guard absorbs this impact.
Inner vs Outer Thigh Guard
- Outer thigh guard: worn on the leading leg (right thigh for a right-hander)
- Inner thigh guard: worn on the back leg, protects the knee and inner thigh
- Some batters wear both; some only the outer guard
- T20 batters sometimes reduce protection to increase mobility and shot range
Frequently asked questions
Do all cricketers wear a thigh guard?
Not universally — thigh guard use is a personal choice. Most professional batters wear at least an outer thigh guard, and many wear both inner and outer guards. Some T20 batters skip the inner guard for mobility.