What protective equipment does my child need?

Question

Accepted Answer

Cricket Australia's junior formats (Stages 1 to 3) require:

a helmet at all times while batting and while wicket-keeping
pads, gloves and a protector (Stage 1 does not require pads for the wicket-keeper, but the keeper's helmet is compulsory)
a bat sized to the player: Size 4 (under 800 g) is recommended in Stages 1 and 2, and Size 6 or Harrow (under 1,000 g) in Stage 3

Helmet standard: Cricket NSW's Helmet Management Policy requires helmets that meet British Standard BS7928:2013 in its matches and training. A batter must wear one against fast or medium bowling, a wicket-keeper must wear one when standing up to the stumps, and a fielder must wear one when fielding closer than 7 metres from the batter on the popping crease (for example short leg or silly point), unless they are behind the popping crease. The NSW Junior Community Cup also specifies BS7928:2013 for batters, the Metro carnivals require helmets for batters and wicket-keepers, and Cricket NSW strongly recommends community competitions adopt its helmet policy. Cricket Australia's approved helmet list can change, so buy a helmet that is on the current list.

Fielders: the formats keep fielders back from the bat. In Stage 1 no fielder may be within 15 metres of the batter. In Stages 2 and 3 no fielder may be within 10 metres, except regulation off-side slips, gully and the wicket-keeper.

Sources: Cricket Australia Stage 1, 2 and 3 Junior Rules (play.cricket.com.au, May 2026); CNSW Helmet Management Policy; Cricket NSW Metro carnival and Junior Community Cup playing conditions.