Cricket Body Protection Buying Guide: Abdo, Thigh, Arm and Chest Guards
by The team at Western Sports Centre, Derrimut on Nov 04, 2026Every batter facing a hard ball needs an abdominal guard and a thigh guard, along with pads, gloves and a helmet. As the bowling gets quicker, most players add an inner thigh guard, an arm guard and a chest guard. All of this protection is worn on the side of your body that faces the bowler, so choose the version that matches the way you bat.
We stock cricket protection from Gray-Nicolls, Kookaburra, Aero, Masuri, SS and more at Western Sports Centre in Derrimut. Here's what you need and how it should fit.
Quick picks
| If you need… | Look at |
|---|---|
| An abdominal guard | Kookaburra Test Protect, Kookaburra Super Pro or Gray-Nicolls Elite |
| A women's or girls' abdominal guard | Gray-Nicolls Female or Kookaburra Women Protector |
| A thigh guard for a junior | Gray-Nicolls Elite or Gray-Nicolls Test |
| Thigh and inner thigh protection in one | Gray-Nicolls Ultimate Combo, Kookaburra Pro 5.0 or Masuri T Line Combo |
| An arm guard | Gray-Nicolls Test, Gray-Nicolls Slimline or Aero P1 |
| A chest guard | Aero P1, Kookaburra Pro 6.0 or Gray-Nicolls Chest Guard |
See our full range of cricket protective gear for current stock and sizes.
What protection do I need?
- Every batter facing a hard ball: abdominal guard and thigh guard, plus pads, gloves and a helmet.
- Club cricketers facing quicker bowling: add an inner thigh guard (or a combo thigh guard), an arm guard and a chest guard.
- Soft-ball and backyard cricket: extra protection usually isn't needed.
Which side do I wear it on?
Thigh guards, arm guards and chest guards go on the side facing the bowler. For a right-handed batter, that's the left side. For a left-handed batter, it's the right side. Product pages list these as right-hand (RH) or left-hand (LH), meaning the way you bat, not the side of your body it's worn on. Inner thigh guards go on the inside of your back leg.
Abdominal guards
An abdominal guard, or "box", is the one piece of protection no batter or wicketkeeper should go without. It sits inside a pair of cricket briefs, jocks or compression shorts with a pouch to hold it in place.
- Size: they come in Small Junior, Junior, Youth and Adult. It should cover you fully without digging into your legs when you crouch.
- Padded edges make a guard more comfortable for long innings. Vented guards stay cooler on hot days.
- Women and girls: choose a guard shaped for women, like the Gray-Nicolls Female Abdominal Guard or Kookaburra Women Protector.
Replace your guard straight away if it cracks. See all abdominal guards, and pick up cricket briefs and shorts to wear it with.
Thigh guards and combo guards
A thigh guard protects the outside of your front thigh, just above your pad, which is one of the most common places to get hit.
- Fit: the bottom of the thigh guard should meet the top of your batting pad, with no gap. It should stay put when you run.
- Size: some brands use Junior, Youth and Adult. Others, like Aero and Kookaburra, use sizes from Extra Small to Extra Large based on your waist and leg.
- Stripper thigh guards, like the Aero P2, are slim and light and worn inside your trousers or shorts.
- Combo guards join a thigh guard and an inner thigh guard with a waist strap, so you get both in one. Try the Gray-Nicolls Ultimate Combo, Kookaburra Pro Players Pro Combo or Gray-Nicolls Players X1 Combo.
See all thigh guards.
Arm guards
An arm guard protects the forearm of your top hand from short, rising balls. It's worn on your front arm, between the wrist and elbow.
- Look for a guard that covers your forearm without stopping you bending your wrist.
- Lightweight guards like the Gray-Nicolls Slimline are barely noticeable. Heavier guards like the Gray-Nicolls Legend give more protection against fast bowling.
- For more cover at the elbow, add an elbow guard like the SS Ton Elbow Guard.
See all arm guards.
Chest guards
A chest guard protects your ribs and chest from short-pitched bowling. It's worn under your shirt on the side facing the bowler.
- It should sit flat against your chest and not restrict your arms when you play a shot.
- For juniors moving up to quicker bowling, the Kookaburra Pro 6.0 comes in Junior, Youth and Adult sizes.
- For adults, try the Aero P1, Gray-Nicolls Chest Guard or Gray-Nicolls Legend.
See all chest guards.
Looking after your protection
- Take everything out of your bag after a game and let it air dry.
- Wash your abdominal guard regularly with warm soapy water.
- Check straps and elastic each season and replace anything stretched or broken.
- Replace any guard that is cracked or has flattened padding.
Frequently asked questions
Do juniors need a thigh guard?
Yes. Once juniors face a hard ball, a thigh guard and an abdominal guard should be part of their kit, along with pads, gloves and a helmet.
Is a combo thigh guard better than two separate guards?
A combo guard is easier to put on and stays in place well. Separate guards let you choose a different size or style for each leg. Both protect you well.
What does RH or LH mean on a thigh guard?
It's the way you bat. RH is for a right-handed batter and is worn on the left leg. LH is for a left-handed batter and is worn on the right leg.
Do bowlers and fielders need protection?
Male players should wear an abdominal guard whenever they bat or keep. Fielders close to the bat should also wear a helmet.
Get fitted
Come into Western Sports Centre in Derrimut to try protection on with your pads. Or shop protective gear online. Need the rest of your kit? Read our batting pads, batting gloves and helmet buying guides.
