Cricket Shirts

Thankfully, the days are gone when the only choice of cricket shirts was between long or short sleeved in white. This is the day of the hi-tech shirt in the design of your choice, indispensable for the best players and cricket supporters.

The first choice you need to make is between function and fashion, that is, will the shirt be used for playing cricket or is it a fashion accessory?

There is a great range of replica shirts available for cricket supporters, but they don’t necessarily come with all the hi-tech comfort features that are needed by players. There is a third choice, of memorabilia shirts, but more of that later.

Match play shirts are either three quarter sleeve or long sleeve. Good quality materials are 65% polyester and 35% cotton. The top of the range models have dual fabric construction, with a moisture management system and mesh ventilation panels - smart but comfortable. The Gray Nicolls “Ice Shirt” is a good example. The more basic versions are simply single layer polyester/cotton with a functional drop tail design. Don’t be tempted by collarless designs – a collar is an essential sun shade.

The “Active” shirt is recent innovation. This is a traditional match play or polo shirt, but in a 100% polyester fabric with a moisture control system to increase comfort. It does this by “wicking” moisture away from the skin. The major cricket equipment manufacturers all make active shirts, with a choice of national team logo.

Replica shirts are usually 100% polyester, without high-tech construction so aren’t designed for match play. However, there is a wide range of replicas of international shirts for all the test playing nations, ranging from test match, one day, Twenty20 and training versions. You can even choose the name and number of your favourite player for the back of the shirt. These are readily available from online stores such as World Cricket Store or Cricket Direct.

If you need a completely personalised shirt design for a club or school cricket team, there are online services that cater for this. Try a Google search for “personalised cricket shirt” and take your pick! The best companies offer a wide range of shirt fabrics and designs – printed designs are cheaper, but embroidered ones are more durable, and simply better quality.

The price of cricket shirts varies considerably depending on technology content and the popularity of the team or player's name shown on the shirt. A top quality, 65% polyester, 35% cotton playing shirt with dual fabric construction, moisture management system and mesh ventilation panels costs around £30. A 100% polyester replica shirt varies between £20 and £40 depending on player or team popularity.

Alternatively, if you don’t want a replica shirt, try the real thing. For £40-£50 you can find a high quality international cricket shirt, as worn by the players themselves. One source for the discerning buyer is the cricket memorabilia section on Ebay, but beware of imitations!

Whether you are a cricket player, a cricket fan or a parent with a young cricket fanatic in your family, you can easily find the cricket shirt that you need. This page describes the main options available to you, and where you might find them. As with all clothes, its good to try before you buy. However, in my experience, a reputable online company will be flexible enough to send you alternative sizes before you complete your purchase.

Return from Cricket Shirts to Cricket Equipment