Pads

Pads are protective equipment used in the sport of cricket.

Pads fall into two types, batting pads and wicket-keeper's pads. In Test and first-class cricket, the pads are white (to match the rest of the player's whites), while in limited overs cricket they may be coloured.

Batting pads

Batting pads are large, protecting shins and knees, with a slot for the foot. They are strapped behind the calf, sometimes with velcro to ease the process.

Wicket-keeper's pads

Originally, wicket-keepers used batting pads to protect their legs, but found the knee-protecting flaps interfered with their agility and ability to catch. There were also incidents where the ball lodged in the space between the flap and the wicket-keeper's leg. Modern wicket-keeper's pads are therefore smaller than batting pads, with insignificant knee flaps.