How To Maintain Your Cricket Batting Gloves
Batting is all about comfort!
It takes enough effort to adjust your technique when you need to, or to make sure you are hitting the ball well. To ensure your equipment is comfortable, you need to be able to wear it without noticing it. A good cricket glove will enable optimal performance just like a good cricket bat or cricket shoes.
It is usually the batting gloves that get the most wear and tear. Perspiration on the hands and friction from strokeplay can affect the gloves when cricket is played in hot temperatures. When you buy cricket gear, you’re always excited, but it’s always a good idea to make sure you get your money’s worth by maintaining your gear as best you can.
In order to prolong the life of your batting gloves, follow these simple tips:
1. Wear Inner Gloves
The word “maintain” implies that something should be taken care of after play, but that’s not what it means. It’s possible to maintain gloves well while playing. Playing cricket involves sweating and perspiration. The ‘inners’ of your gloves keep your hands from getting too wet as they act as insulation between your hands and gloves, ensuring comfort and optimal performance. As a result, your gloves will last a lot longer due to less sweat absorbing into them.
2. Don’t put them in your kit immediately after playing
It is important to remember this tip.
During play, gloves can become very wet on the inside. You should keep in mind that even with inners, moisture can penetrate into your gloves (not as much as without them), so you should let them dry out in a warm, dry environment before storing them in your kit. When gloves are placed straight into a kit after playing, the leather is not able to dry out properly, resulting in damage or mold growth. This is not something you want to happen to your gloves.
3. Clean your batting gloves
Gloves themselves must have a good grip.
Taking care of your gloves regularly (every week or two) can prevent them from becoming dirty and worn out. Liquids will damage leather, so avoid using them. Cleansers containing oil will also damage leather.
Cleaning your batting grip with a soft brush is the best and most effective way to remove dirt and remains.
4. Have a spare pair of gloves
International batsmen often ask for a new pair of gloves. Although aspiring cricketers wouldn’t have as many pair as international players, it might be a good idea to keep another pair on hand!
By continuously swapping your gloves, whilst keeping the ones you aren’t using out to dry, you can enjoy long-lasting pairs of gloves.
It takes a lot of focus and concentration to bat, so if your equipment is in good shape, you can focus on the ball and have fun instead of suffering from discomfort.
Make sure you get the most out of your batting gloves by following these four simple tips!
