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Making sure that you have the right equipment is vital for any sport. It can improve performance, prevent accidents and overall make for a better experience all round. Cricket is a game that can be played all year round, but is most common when the weather is warmer.
Professionals, schools, cricket clubs and many more play cricket up and down the country, and for this it is essential to be fitted out with the right equipment. This includes bats, balls, stumps, batting pads, and helmets. Another key piece of equipment if you are a club is your practice nets.
Sportsmark has put together this helpful guide to help you choose the right equipment to make cricket practice the best it can be.
What Are Cricket Nets & Why Are They Important
A cricket net is a vital piece of equipment whilst practising, as it can catch balls quickly. Cricket nets are incredibly important to clubs who might not have the most space but need to practice properly. Cricket nets are designed so that a batter can hit the ball with all of their ability, but the ball will be safely stopped by the net and returned to the ground without flying off a great distance.
Practising with the best equipment possible will ensure you can enhance your skills properly as well as guarantee safety. Errant balls hit during cricket practice could fly into people, buildings, objects or vehicles nearby, causing costly repairs.
Cricket nets are highly versatile and effective solutions, normally made from braided netting that is designed to stop a ball in its tracks, with the netting held in place with hooks or ties. Netting solutions are commonly adjustable, meaning you can change the height or space from the batter with ease.
What To Consider In Cricket Equipment
There are plenty of factors to consider when searching for new cricket equipment, so join Sportsmark as we explore a few below.
Indoors Or Outdoors
One of the first things you will need to consider is whether you will be needing indoor or outdoor cricket nets. If you are able to practice cricket indoors, this means you will be able to practice all year round. Outdoor nets are still a great option, however, use of them can be weather-dependent.
Indoor nets will enable you to practice in a space where other sports are also taking place, such as a leisure centre sports hall. The nets will prevent the ball from flying all over the place, ensuring practice is safe and efficient for all.
With an indoor cricket net, you will need to ensure that you have enough space, both in terms of width and height. You’ll also want to think about the flooring in this space, as you may need a special floor or cricket mats
Finally make sure you have enough storage space for your nets and other equipment when not in use, especially if you are practicing in a shared space. Permanent solutions are useful, but as they are set into the ground using cement or another adhesive, they are not movable. Mobile cricket nets are a great solution in these cases.
Who Is Using Your Nets
When choosing equipment for cricket, you might want to consider who is going to be using your nets as this can influence your decision. If your nets are only going to be used for your club for practice, you might not actually need an expensive option but instead something simpler.
If you are going to loan or rent your space to other cricket clubs, teams and schools, you might want to invest in a larger set-up, as this could increase your return on investment if you can use the equipment for other people.
Possibility Of A Grant
Professional bodies might be able to provide funding or a grant towards new cricket equipment. You should check online to see if you are eligible for any funding, as this could affect what options you might go for.
Location
Think carefully about your location when it comes to choosing cricket equipment. If you are based in an area with plenty of cricket clubs and schools around, you will get a lot more use out of the equipment.
Tips For Net Installation
Location is important when installing. If you are at a cricket club, ensure the nets are set up separately from the pitch, allowing for practice to occur alongside a game. There should be enough room in the net to ensure the batman and bowler can play just like in a real match.
Standards are specified by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which ensures practice can be both safe and beneficial to players. Spring return stumps can be an ideal choice for a practice space, as they will not require re-assembling after being hit by a ball or bat.
Cricket Nets & Equipment Available From Sportsmark
Now that you’ve found out all you need to know about cricket nets, shop today with products from Sportsmark. We have a great selection of nets and netting available, in a variety of sizes so you can find the ideal option to fit your space.
This also includes dedicated options such as a ball stop net system and the Radford Ezy Cricket New System, which are easy to install and can be used to quickly and easily stop balls and ensure practice runs smoothly.
As well as this, we are able to offer various pieces of equipment to make your cricket space the best it can possibly be, including cricket cages, frames, bowling machines, cricket wickets, groundman equipment and much more.
For more information on Choosing the Right Cricket Nets for Your Club talk to Sportsmark Group Ltd