Cricket pads: how to choose the right pair

Go by leg length and height rather than age, because children of the same age grow at very different rates. Stand up straight with the pad strapped on: the knee roll should sit centred over your kneecap and the bottom should cover the top of your foot. Junior and youth sizes suit most children and teens, while small adult, adult and oversize men's cover grown-ups from shorter to taller. If you fall between two sizes, the smaller one usually moves better.

Some are. Pads cut for one side carry a thicker wing on the outside of the front leg, which is the leg facing the bowler. A right-handed batter leads with the left leg, so they want the extra wing on that pad. Ambidextrous or dual-wing pads have wings on both sides and suit either batter, which makes them handy for families and club kit bags.

Let them dry fully after every game or net session, ideally in a shaded, airy spot, because damp padding breeds odour and weakens the stitching. Wipe the facing with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, and avoid soaking them or putting them in a washing machine unless the maker says it's fine. Store them flat or hanging, not crushed under a heavy bag, so the shin and knee padding keep their shape.

For hard-ball cricket, batters are generally expected to wear leg pads along with a helmet, an abdominal guard and batting gloves. Many junior associations set their own protective gear rules for matches and training, so check with your club before the season starts. For soft-ball or backyard games with a tennis ball, pads are usually optional.

Pads protect the shin and knee, but they leave the inside of the front thigh open, and that's a common spot to get hit. An inner thigh guard straps on under your trousers to cover it. Many batters add one once they start facing quicker bowling. Right-handers wear it on the left thigh and left-handers on the right, so check the side when you buy.