Why Batting Gloves Matter in Tape Ball Cricket (and How to Choose a Pair)

Most street cricketers bat bare-handed at first. Then a long innings on a hot day leaves them with blisters and a slipping grip, and they discover tape ball gloves. Here's why they're worth having and how to choose a pair.

What tape ball gloves are (and aren't)

Tape ball batting gloves are light, full-finger gloves. They're not padded hard ball gloves: they won't protect you from a leather ball. What they do is improve your grip on the handle, soak up sweat and protect your palms and fingers from rubbing.

Why they help

• Better grip. Sweaty hands slip, especially in summer. Gloves keep your hold on the handle steady.
• No blisters. Long innings and new grips can rub the skin raw.
• More confidence. With a firm grip you can swing freely without worrying about the bat turning.

How to choose

• Fit first. Choose a snug fit: loose gloves twist on the handle and you lose the benefit.
• Quality A or B. We sell every glove in Quality A, the better grade, and Quality B, the budget grade at a lower price. Ask us on WhatsApp for photos of both.
• Design. Pick the look you like: Saki (black and orange), German (green camouflage), German Player Edition (blue galaxy print) or TM (navy and grey).

Care

• Let gloves dry in the shade after a match, not in direct sun.
• Don't leave them damp in a closed kit bag.
• Keep a spare pair if you play several days a week.

Gloves plus a fresh grip

The quickest upgrade for any bat is a new bat grip with a pair of gloves. Together they transform how the bat feels in your hands.