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 where a hi-tech shirt in the design of your choice is 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?

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.

Many first class cricketers now wear a “base layer” under their shirt. These close-fitting vests use lightweight moisture management material to conduct moisture away from the skin. The objective is to keep skin dry and at a stable temperature, in either hot or cold weather. The Kookaburra “Staydri” climate control fabric is one variety.

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 cricket 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!

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.

Keeping cricket clothes "whiter-than-white"

When it comes to cleaning, white was always a bad choice for cricket clothing, especially when the next match is just around the corner. Committed cricketers don’t hesitate to dive to save a run or take a catch, or to keep a ball shiny by polishing it on their whites. But the resulting grass, mud and cricket ball stains can be a laundry problem.

Throwing dirty cricket clothing into a hot wash just doesn’t work, as the stains become ingrained. So, the offending marks must be removed first. I’ve had great success removing grass stains with “Vanish”, but also recommended are oxi-stain removers, washing powder paste or methylated spirits - using a nail brush for deep cleaning helps here.

Cricket ball stains can be removed in the same way, or by a suitable colour-run remover. Mud needs a different technique - brush off as much dried mud as possible, then remove the rest with lots of cold water mixed with a dash of lemon juice. If stains still persist, soak overnight in a cold solution of biological washing powder, then try again.

Once all stains have been removed, rinse thoroughly in cold water then wash with detergent on the hottest setting possible. It’s quite a challenge to keep cricket clothes whiter-than-white, but its worth it - after all, standards on the field just have to be maintained!

Getting kitted out for the new season, or simply looking for new cricket gear? Why not check out my tips on buying cricket bats, cricket bags, cricket shirts, cricket shoes and cricket balls.

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