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Cricket is the second largest sport in the world and quickly gaining popularity in the U.S. The sport offers young athletes many potential benefits: physical fitness, agility, teamwork, and self-confidence.

Cricket is a non-contact sport, but players can get injured if they collide with another player, run into a boundary fence, or get struck by the ball. Playing too hard without rest can lead to overuse injuries.

Fortunately, protective gear, proper technique, rest, and physical fitness can greatly reduce the risk of cricket injuries.

What are the most common injuries in cricket?

Different positions, different injuries

The different positions in cricket have different physical requirements, therefore, a player’s injury risk depends in part on the position they play.

  • Bowlers: The explosive power and force with which bowlers send the ball can strain their lower backs, shoulders, and hamstrings.
  • Batters: Being hit with the ball can cause bruises and fractures, so cricket helmets with face guards and other protective equipment are important for batter safety. Prolonged batting can strain the lower back. Sprinting between wickets and rapidly changing direction can cause muscle strains, ankle sprains, and knee injuries.
  • Wicketkeepers: Catching fast, bouncing, or deflected balls can cause hand and finger injuries. Repeated crouching and sudden movements can strain players’ backs, knees, and thigh muscles.
  • Fielders: Diving for the ball can cause shoulder injuries. Misjudged catches, ground balls, and direct impact from the ball can cause hand and finger injuries. Ankle, knee, and leg injuries can happen while chasing a ball, quickly changing direction, or falling.

What causes overuse injuries in cricket?

As youth sports have become more competitive, many athletes feel like they have to train long hours without time for rest and recovery.

In cricket, overtraining, neglecting warm up, and playing on hard surfaces can all contribute to overuse injuries. Proper technique is important to all players’ — especially bowlers and batters — ability to play well without injury.

How can you prevent cricket injuries?

Coaches, athletes, and parents can all play a role in reducing the risk of cricket injuries. Families should seek out leagues and teams that emphasize fair play and good sportsmanship.

Athletes

  • Build strength, endurance, and flexibility through pre-season training
  • Wear protective gear, including helmets, gloves, pads, and appropriate footwear
  • Learn and practice proper technique
  • Warm up and cool down before and after every game and practice
  • Balance training with rest: take at least one full rest day each week
  • Don’t play through pain: tell your coach or parent about any pain or discomfort

Coaches

  • Emphasize skill development and conditioning
  • Make warm-up and cool down part of every practice and game
  • Monitor players’ workloads, especially bowlers
  • Make sure players wear protective gear that’s in good condition
  • Be ready to pull a player out of a game or practice if they are injured

Parents

  • Encourage your child to take rest days
  • Check your child’s protective gear regularly for signs of wear and tear
  • Make sure your child has medical check-ups and follows up on injuries
  • Communicate regularly with your child’s coach

The importance of protective gear in cricket

Protective gear that’s in good shape, fits properly, and is worn consistently in games and practice makes a big difference in players’ safety. Standard equipment includes:

  • Batting helmets with facemasks
  • Batting gloves
  • Leg guards
  • Forearm guards
  • Chest guards
  • Wicket-keeping gloves with inners and boxes

How we care for cricket injuries at Boston Children’s Hospital

As the largest and most experienced pediatric and young adult sports medicine practice in the country, the Sports Medicine Division at Boston Children's combines personalized care with innovative treatment for each athlete we treat. Our team consists of sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, podiatrists, athletic trainers, mental skills trainers, sports psychologists, and many others who collaborate on every aspect of patients’ care and recovery.

Our Sports Concussion Clinic provides comprehensive care for athletes with sports concussions and offers concussion prevention and recovery education for athletes and their families.

The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, part of the Sports Medicine Division, is dedicated to the prevention of sports injuries. Through research and clinical training, we offer practical strategies that help young athletes reduce their risk of injury while enhancing their sports performance.