Collection: Junior & Kids Cricket Gear

Gear for Kiwi kids playing club and school cricket, from a first soft-ball season through to hard-ball Year 7–8. Everything here comes in genuine junior or youth sizes, not cut-down adult gear. We hold stock in New Zealand and dispatch same business day.

Not sure what your child actually needs? We have set out what is required at each stage, and what is optional.

What cricket gear does my child need?

For any batter facing a hard ball in New Zealand, three items are compulsory: a helmet, batting gloves and batting pads. Everything else is optional and depends on the level and the child. Soft-ball and modified-ball stages need much less - often just a bat.

Required gear by school year

New Zealand Cricket's junior formats are organised by school year rather than by age, and so is the equipment expectation. Check with your local association, as some run slightly different grades.

NZC lists thigh pads, chest pads, arm guards and elbow guards as optional extras a batter can add for comfort and confidence. None is compulsory. If budget is tight, put the money into the helmet and pads first.

Does my child have to wear a helmet?

Yes, in hard-ball cricket. Under New Zealand Cricket's helmet policy, every player under 19 must wear a helmet that meets British Standard BS 7928:2013 when batting, when keeping within 5 metres of the stumps, and when fielding within 7 metres of the stumps - excluding behind the wicket on the off side. That applies in matches and at practice, and it applies to juniors playing in senior grades too.

BS 7928:2013 has replaced the older AS/NZS 4499 standard for competitive cricket in New Zealand. When you are buying, look for the certification label inside the shell. If a helmet does not display it, it is not compliant, regardless of what the listing says.

On neck guards: these are not compulsory at grassroots level in New Zealand, but they are increasingly treated as standard practice in hard-ball junior cricket, and many coaches and schools now encourage them. 

What size cricket bat does my child need?

Bat size goes off height, not age. Measure your child in the shoes they play in.

Do not buy a size up "to grow into." It is the single most common mistake parents make. A bat that is too long forces the hands away from the body and teaches poor technique that takes seasons to unlearn. Buy the size that fits now.

Full sizing for pads, gloves and helmets is on our cricket equipment size guide.

How much should I spend on junior cricket gear?

A first hard-ball setup - helmet, pads, gloves, abdominal guard and a bat can be put together sensibly without spending a fortune. Where the money is worth spending, in order:

1. Helmet. Buy certified, buy it the size that will fit properly, and replace it after any significant impact. This is not the item to economise on.
2. Pads. Correct length matters more than brand. Pads that are too long or too heavy restrict running and get kicked off.
3. Gloves. Coverage over feel at junior level. Leather palms last longer than synthetic, but a well-fitted cheaper glove beats an expensive loose one.
4. Bat. Kashmir willow is entirely adequate for junior cricket up to about Year 8. Save the English willow money until they have stopped growing 5cm a year.

Growth is the real cost driver. Most kids need a new bat size every one to two seasons, so a mid-range bat that fits is better value than a premium one they outgrow in a summer.

When should I buy for the season?

The NZ club and school season runs roughly October to March. Buy in September if you can - ranges are at their fullest, junior sizes sell out first, and you avoid the scramble when the first game is on Saturday. Junior sizes in helmets and pads are typically the first thing to go out of stock nationwide in October.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have junior cricket gear in stock in New Zealand?

Yes. We hold stock in New Zealand and dispatch same business day. You are not waiting on an overseas shipment before the first game of the season.

What is the difference between junior and youth sizes?

Junior is the smaller of the two - roughly ages 8 to 10 in gloves and pads. Youth suits roughly 11 to 13. Sizing varies a little by brand, so measure rather than assume. Some brands also offer a Small Adult size, which is useful for older teenagers between Youth and full Adult.

Can my child use adult gear?

No, and it is not just about comfort. Oversized pads restrict running between wickets, loose gloves slide on impact, and an adult helmet will not sit correctly no matter how far you adjust it - which defeats the point of wearing one.

What is an abdominal guard and does my child need one?

Also called a box or protector. Yes, for any hard-ball cricket. It is inexpensive and non-negotiable. Buy two so there is always a clean one.

My child is left-handed. Does that change what I order?

Gloves and pads are handed. Order the dexterity that matches how they bat, not which hand they write with. A left-handed batter has the right shoulder facing the bowler and orders left hand. Helmets and abdominal guards are not handed.

Can you help me work out what to buy?

Yes, and we would rather you asked than guessed. Email howzzat@cricketwarehouse.co.nz or call 0800 124 601 with your child's height, school year and grade, and we will tell you exactly what they need — including where the cheaper option is the right one.

Do you price match on junior gear?

Yes — our 10 Day Price Beat Guarantee applies to everything in this collection.