Cricket is one of those sports that requires a lot of gear, especially for batsmen.
As well as your bat, you need your leg pads, thigh pads, box, gloves, and helmet. Then there is your hat, sunglasses, specialist shoes, handgrips, and more. If you are a wicketkeeper, then don’t forget your wicketkeeping pads, gloves, and inners.
Think about the amount of gear needed by the likes of Australian legend Adam Gilchrest as a batsman-wicketkeeper.
Transporting your gear, keeping it organized, and making sure you aren’t forgetting everything can be a challenge. But a good cricket bag can make all the difference.
That’s why we are going to take a look at the best cricket bags for carrying and organizing your gear.
We are going to recommend our top five options currently available in the UK, and share the most important things to consider when choosing the right bag for you.
5 Best Cricket Bags
Woodworm Pro Series MKII Wheeled Cricket Bag
This wheeled duffle bag is one of the most spacious bags on the list with 150 litres of storage. This does mean that it is big, as it 100cm by 40cm by 47cm, so smaller players might not enjoy wheeling this around.
It is perfect for batsmen with a lot of gear, as it also has two padded bat holders for both of your beloved bats.
One of the more expensive bags on the list, this is because it is built to last. The zips in particular are durable and shouldn’t wear out, and the 600D polyester should stand up well against even the heaviest use.
There are lots of compartments for organizing your gear and storing valuables, so you should always be able to find exactly what you need. There is even a cool bag section if you want to keep your water or sports drink chilly.
One of the other nice features about this bag is that the end panel is detachable, which means you can remove it to be embroidered or otherwise marked with the mark of your team. There are four colours to choose from.
- Durable Polyester
- 150 Litres of Storage
- Two Padded Bat Holders
- Heavy Duty Zips
- Detachable End Panel
Gunn & Moore Original Duffle Bag 2020
Neat freaks that like to keep their gear perfectly organized will love this duffle from Gunn & Moore.
This 109-litre bag is made from durable polyester in stylish black and has a compartment for everything.
There are two bat pockets on either side of the bag, and then the main session is divided into sections, so you can store your shoes at the bottom, a change of clothes at the top, and your gloves and other gear in the middle section.
Designed to be carried on the back, it has adjustable straps for comfort and manages to be both spacious and compact. It weighs just 2.72 kilograms when empty.
This is another one of the more expensive bags on the list, but it is well worth the investment.
- Durable Polyester
- Two Side Bat Pockets
- Versatile Compartment Design
- 109 Litres
- 2.72 Kilograms
Kookaburra 2020 D3 Duffle Bag
While this is one of the most affordable bags on this list, this wheelie duffle from Kookaburra will appeal to players that like to travel light.
This is a relatively small bag with just 81 litres of storage space, but it is still big enough to carry two bats with its 90-centimetre length and to designated bat pockets.
This bag is very lightweight, weighing just 1.18 kilograms when empty. But this is a very important feature since there are no wheels on this bag and does need to be carried on the back with adjustable straps.
It is made from durable polyester which should hold up against the kind of wear and tear that this type of bag is likely to see. Choose from a variety of different colour schemes including black and lime and navy and cyan.
- Lightweight 1.18 Kilograms
- Duffle with Adjustable Straps
- Two Bat Pockets
- 81 Litres
- Durable Polyester
Newbery Cricket Legacy Cricket Wheelie Bag
If you are willing to pay a bit more, you might like this premium wheelie bag from heritage brand Newbery.
While it has a relatively small 55 litre capacity, it is quite spacious, measuring 96 by 42 by 38 centimetres. It has three wheels rather than two, so it is stable despite its large size.
It is big enough to hold two bats, in fully enclosed bat sleeves, all of your pads, and even has a separate helmet/boot section. There are also small pockets incorporated into the design for valuables. There is also a cool pocket for drinks.
Unlike most of the bags on this list that are made with polyester, this bag is made from strong and natural cotton, with reinforced zippers.
- Wheelie Bag
- 55 Litres
- Cotton
- Two Bat Pockets
- 3 Kilograms
Wormwood Cricket Test Elite Cricket Kit Duffle Bag
If you like the Woodworm bag at the top of this list, but would prefer something a bit cheaper, consider this cricket duffle from Wormwood.
It doesn’t have wheels because it is designed to be portable and go anywhere with you. It is also a bit smaller than their wheeled bag, measuring only 86 centimetres in length and weighing just 2 kilograms.
It has a designated bat sleeve that holds two bats, and lots of other compartments for organizing your gear the way you want.
It is made from the same premium 600D polyester with extra strong zippers, so this bag will last and last.
The ergonomic shoulder straps are padded for comfort.
- Duffle bag
- 600 D Durable Polyester
- Pocket for two bats
- Ergonomic straps
- 2 Kilograms
What to look for in a Cricket Bag
If you are looking for a new bag and you aren’t sure what to prioritize, these are the most important things to consider when making your selection.
Style
There are generally three styles of cricket bag: wheelie bags, duffle bags, and wheelie duffles.
Wheelie bags are a lot like a suitcase. They tend to be large and spacious, with wheels to make moving them around convenient, no matter how heavy.
Duffles are what to go for if you prefer to carry your gear on your back, or you know you’ll be navigating terrain that will be challenging for a heavy wheeled bag.
The wheelie duffle is of course the best of both worlds. It is a duffle with a hard back that accommodates the wheel apparatus, so you can wheel your bag around if that is convenient, but the weight is minimized so that it is still easy to carry on your back if you wish.
Space
How big a bag you need will depend on the amount of gear that you have. If you are the opening batsman or the wicketkeeper, you are likely to have a lot of gear. If you are a fast bowler who is also the last batsman on the list, you might need a lot less.
So, choose a size based on the amount of equipment that you have to lug around from helmet, to pads, to potentially three different bats.
Durability
If you are a keen cricketer, your bag is likely to get a lot of use as it is dragged around to various pitches and equipment is constantly added and removed.
You don’t want a bag with a dodgy zipper that can let things fall out, or fabric that will tear the first time it has a disagreement with a bat.
It is also a good idea to look for bags that have reinforced zips, as this is often the first thing to go and render your bag pretty much useless.
Organizing Factors
The fastest way to lose or damage gear is to just throw it all in together, so it is a good idea to look for a bag that has the right kind of compartments for organizing your stuff.
At a minimum, you will need pockets for holding your bats, which will usually be at the back or the side of the bag. Most bags will offer compartments for a minimum of two bats.
The main section should then also be divided so that you don’t need to store your dirty shoes alongside your clean post-game clothing. It is also great if the bag has a separate section for pads, as these can easily be damaged by other objects.
Most bags will also include small compartments for valuables so that they are easily accessible, and you will often find options with a cool bag, so you can keep a drink chilled throughout a long day on the field.
Design
What kind of design and colour scheme you prefer will be down to you, and most of the bags you see will be in black or England blue, though there are some other options on the market.
However, it is a nice touch if the top flag of the bag is removable so that you can have your club logo embroidered on your bag.
Cost
On our list you will find bags for as little as £30, but also premium options or £130. But the reality is that you only need these premium options if you want them. You can get a decent duffle bag for £30-£40, and if you want a wheelie bag you shouldn’t have to pay more than £70.
What should dictate your budget is how much gear you intend to carry and where. If in reality you are carrying your gear ten metres from your home to the boot of your car, and then another 50 metres to a well-kept pitch, a cheap bag is going to be more than enough.
If you are lugging your gear around on public transport, getting rides from friends, and walking long distances to arrive at the game, it’s going to be worth spending a little more.
Need advice on picking some of the gear to go in your bag? Check out our guides on choosing the perfect cricket bat and finding the right batting pads.
FAQs
How big is a cricket bag?
Cricket bags vary significantly in size, but any bag that is big enough to hold a cricket bat will be at least 80 centimetres tall, and it is rare to see anything longer than 100 centimetres.
They also vary in capacity from as little as 50 litres to as much as 150 litres in their main compartment.
Lighter duffle bags will weigh between 1.5 and 2 kilograms, while wheelie bags may weigh more like 3 kilograms.
What gear do you need for cricket?
The minimum personal equipment that each cricket player requires includes a bat, helmet, batting gloves, leg guards, thigh guards, cup, cricket shoes, and sunglasses. Wicketkeepers will need significantly more equipment as they have their own gloves and pads.
There are also optional extras that some cricketers like to use, such as an abdominal protector.
There is also team gear including the balls and two sets of wickets.
Do cricketers have their own bats?
Professional cricketers and serious cricketers will always have their own bats, designed to suit their specific batting style. Most amateur players that are aspiring batsmen will also have their own bats. When it comes to amateur teams, new batsmen and bowlers that bat further down the list will often use more generic team bats.
The Verdict
Cricket is one of those games that require a lot of gear and lugging it around can be a pain. Not only is it heavy and bulky, but it can be incredibly easy to lose or damage your expensive equipment.
This is why a cricket bag is an essential piece of kit for any cricketer. What you need and how much you will need to spend depends mostly on how you transport your gear (car or public transport) and what position you play.
A top-line batsman-wicketkeeper is going to have a lot more gear than a fast bowler who is the last batsman in the order and will probably use a team bat if they are ever called to the crease.
On our list of the best cricket bags, you will find everything from affordable options for less than £30 to premium options that will cost more than £100.
The best option for you depends on how you play the game.
References
- Best Cricket Bags for 2020 – Cricketers Hub
- The Best Cricket Bag [2021] – Cricketers Choice
- Cricket Equipment Essentials That All Cricket Fans Should Have – Cricblog
Last update on 2024-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
