First Cricket Kit Buying Guide: What Juniors and Beginners Need
by The team at Western Sports Centre, Derrimut on Nov 05, 2026What your child needs for cricket depends on the ball they play with. Young kids starting out with a soft ball only need a bat that fits. Once they move to a hard ball, usually around Under 12, they need full protection: pads, gloves, an abdominal guard, a thigh guard and a helmet. A complete junior kit is an easy, good-value way to get everything at once, as long as the bat and pads fit.
We help families kit out junior cricketers every season at Western Sports Centre in Derrimut. Here's what you need to know.
Quick picks
| If your cricketer is… | Look at |
|---|---|
| Very young and just starting | Kookaburra Junior My First Kit |
| Playing in the backyard or at the beach | Gray-Nicolls Plastic Cricket Set |
| Starting hard-ball junior cricket | Gray-Nicolls Junior Cricket Set or MRF Prodigy Junior Kit |
| A keen junior ready for English willow | Gray-Nicolls Nova 4.0 EW Junior Set |
| An adult starting out | SS Kashmir Willow Kit or SS English Willow Kit |
See all cricket kits for current stock. Check each product page for exactly what's included.
What does my child need?
Starting out with a soft ball (usually Under 10 and Under 11)
In Cricket Australia's junior formats, the youngest players use a modified, softer ball. At this stage your child mainly needs:
- A bat that fits. See our cricket bat buying guide for junior bat sizes.
- Comfortable rubber-soled shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle.
Check with your club, as some still ask for pads, gloves or a helmet at training.
Moving to a hard ball (usually from Under 12)
Once your child faces a hard ball, they need full batting protection:
- Bat: the right size and weight. Bat guide.
- Helmet: with a neck guard. Helmet guide.
- Batting pads: chosen by leg length. Pads guide.
- Batting gloves: with inners. Gloves guide.
- Abdominal guard and thigh guard. Body protection guide.
- A kit bag to carry it all. Bag guide.
- Cricket shoes: rubber soles for synthetic pitches, spikes for turf. Shoes guide.
Wants to keep wicket? They'll also need keeping gloves, inners and pads. Read our wicketkeeping gear guide.
Complete kit or buy separately?
- A complete kit is convenient, usually good value, and everything matches. It's a great choice for a first season.
- Buying separately lets you get the exact size of each item, which matters if your child is between sizes or needs a particular bat weight.
Whichever you choose, the bat and pads must fit now. Gear that's too big is harder to use and doesn't protect properly. If a kit's bat isn't the right size, ask us about swapping or buy the protection separately.
Kashmir willow or English willow?
Most first kits come with a Kashmir willow bat. It's tough and ready to use, which makes it ideal for a first season. English willow bats are lighter and hit the ball further, but need knocking in and more care. Many juniors move up to English willow once they're playing regularly. Our bat guide explains the difference.
First-season checklist
- Bat that fits
- Helmet with neck guard
- Batting pads and batting gloves, with inners
- Abdominal guard, with briefs or shorts to hold it, and a thigh guard
- Kit bag
- Cricket shoes
- Cricket whites or club uniform, as your club requires
- Hat, sunscreen and water bottle
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy gear for my child to grow into?
No. Bats, pads, gloves and helmets that are too big don't protect properly and make it harder to play well. Buy the size that fits now.
What ball will my child use?
It depends on their age group. Read our cricket ball buying guide for ball weights at each age.
Can my child practise before the season starts?
Yes. Our indoor centre in Derrimut has batting lanes and bowling machines for hire. Read about training at Western Sports Centre.
Get fitted
The easiest way to get it right is to bring your cricketer into Western Sports Centre in Derrimut. We'll check bat, pad, glove and helmet sizes in one visit. Or shop cricket kits online.
