Ask the Readers: What's your favourite bit of kit? | Cricket coaching, fitness and tips

Lovingly packing my bag before the match has become a ritual all in itself these days. Let alone the joy of applying tape to the edges of my bat in readyness for another season of battle.

I'm sure I'm not alone.

I want to know what your favourite bit of kit is at the moment.

For me it would either be my Gunn & Moore wicketkeeping gloves (easily the most comfortable I have worn) or my humble tennis racket and tennis ball for using before play to sharpen up my reflexes and teach me to catch with soft hands.

What do you love? I'm thinking it could be

Your trusty bat
A bit of coaching equipment you are never without
A favourite pair of boots
Your Oakley shades

Or anything you feel is essential to making the most of your talent. I'll even accept the sightscreens, nets or scorebox if that's what you love most.

Leave a comment and let me know.

posted by fs.quayum on 14 May 08 at 11:28

my bat is awesome.

posted by Scott on 14 May 08 at 13:11

I would have to say (tongue in cheek) it's my box - have to protect the vitals!

Seriously, it's probably mu current pads, Grey Nicholl Longbows (I think), easily the most comfortable pads and helped by them being a few years old so they are grooved to my legs.

Sadly, they have almost died so it's time to upgrade and look for a new pair.

posted by Rupert on 15 May 08 at 07:18

for some odd reason I cannot bat without using batting glove inners. i've had the same pair for 10 years, they are grey and shredded, but i can't stop wearing them...

posted by Gareth on 15 May 08 at 08:14

I've just had a complete overhaul of all my kit, following a trip to a small Essex batmaker, and I must say I'm loving it all. But then I am a bit of a kit junkie!

posted by Lyndon on 15 May 08 at 09:34

Would have to be my batting gloves. Although they are comfy that is not the reason. However I have wrote positive notes to my self to keep my concentration and focus during an innings. An easy, cheap and effective way to improve your mental game. Reccomend it to everyone to give it a go. (Know people who do this on the inside of their helmet too)

posted by Peter on 15 May 08 at 12:09

I am sure you will find this odd, but my favorite bit of kit is cut-up mouse mat!!

Three years ago I broke three toes in my right foot(left hand bat) when a ball landing right on top of my boot. As I hit the ground in agony, I knew the worse. My boots are a good pair of asics, but like most they offer little in the way of toe pretection. However an 'old style' thicker mouse mat cut to shape and put into my boot, my toes fit underneath, and it has worked wonders. I have been hit again and again without the pain but with the gain of being able to play on - try it.

posted by Paddy on 16 May 08 at 05:55

Can't go past my oakleys. Though i lost mine a while ago i'm getting new ones shortly.
Love my albion helmet too.

posted by David Hinchliffe on 16 May 08 at 07:18

I have always fancied a pair of oakleys but have never been able to justify the cost.

posted by Andy on 16 May 08 at 08:05

Has to be my GM 3 star 707 Radius bat. Even though i'm a bowler (who aspires to be a number 9) there is just something about the smell of the willow (and bat oil) when bringing it out of the gear bag.

posted by Shaaz on 16 May 08 at 08:46

My Gray-Nicolls white 3/4th sleeve shirt. Looking at myself in the mirror before a match really brightens my mood.

posted by Luke on 17 May 08 at 07:30

My Box. Whoever invented it is a genius.

posted by Kyle on 20 May 08 at 13:01

Pair of hand me down' Kookie gloves from the Great man Jack Russell, tailored to my spec, with bandages, padding, velcro and allsorts of rubber, neoprene grip's to keep me happy, confident and comfortable behind the stumps.

posted by sam on 28 May 08 at 09:12

My favourite bit is the cap im wearing. It's strange I know, but without it I just feel out of sorts. It has to be in the right spot, otherwise I bat really badly,